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Aurora Christian defense stops Lisle

Aurora Christian boys basketball coach Pat McNamara found a lot to like about Saturday night's 74-54 win at Lisle. Defense was tops on the list.

“I thought our guys did a good job of playing defense for pretty much the first time this season,” he said.

That pressure helped create plenty of opportunities on offense as the Eagles (7-1) led 22-3 after the first eight minutes and 42-14 at halftime.

It was a big night for senior R.D. Lutze. He scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for Aurora Christian. Ten of those points came in the opening quarter and 18 in the first half.

“It was huge to start off a game like that. We've been coming out a little sluggish and that's been our focus of late,” Lutze said.

Sophomore Jake Wolfe followed on the Eagles' scoresheet with 11 points and 6 rebounds. McNamara has been pleased with the balance the Aurora Christian offense has shown of late.

“The guys did a good job of finding him (Lutze). Our guys are real unselfish. I have three guys shooting over 60 percent and two guys shooting over 50 percent,” the Eagles coach said.

It was a tough night for the Lions (5-5). Grant Haen hit for Lisle's first field goal of the night with less than a minute to play in the first quarter.

The Lions' offense showed a little more strength in the second period as Mark McGrath put through 6 of his team-high 13 points. It was a big third quarter for teammate Ryan Gillen, who scored 11 of his 12 points in the period.

Lisle went into the game after losing to Interstate Eight Conference foe Reed-Custer 104-85 on Friday.

“That game took a lot out of our legs. It was an emotional game,” said Lions coach Mark LaScala. “We had to go to the energy well early. That's not an excuse. But it was a factor.

“We've been competitive with high energy all year. Tonight it was not there. Give Aurora Christian credit. They were ready.”

With both teams substituting freely in the fourth quarter, LaScala was pleased with how the Lions responded with a 23-point effort and holding the Eagles to 10 points.

Lisle starting center Adalberto Gutierrez, who scored 21 points against Reed-Custer, was injured with just seconds left in the first half. He was helped off the court and was seen with ice on his right ankle on the Lions' bench. He left the gym on crutches before the game ended and the exact status of his injury was not known after the contest.

Both teams head to the Plano Holiday Tournament. Lisle opens at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday versus Fenton. The Eagles' first game is 2 p.m. Saturday against Yorkville.

“The big thing is rebounding, defensive rebounding and playing better defense. If we do that, we'll be fine,” Lutze said.

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