Hampshire wins with defense over Dundee-Crown

For the better part of 3 quarters, Hampshire and Dundee-Crown made the Broncos and Panthers look like a couple of offensive juggernauts.

As in that "other" game, stifling defenses kept the offenses in check. But the Whip-Purs got their offense on track in time to pull away for a 38-29 victory in a Fox Valley Conference girls basketball crossover in Hampshire Tuesday night.

Emma Benoit had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks as Hampshire celebrated Senior Night.

"The defense was way better in the second half," said Hampshire coach Mike Featherly. "We changed our defensive thought a little bit. The defense propelled the offense, definitely."

Using defensive stops to kick-start the offense, the Whip-Purs were able to find Benoit inside more consistently. After the game was tied at 19 early in the third quarter, Benoit scored 6 points during a 13-3 run that left Hampshire ahead 32-22 with time running out in the fourth.

"We were just running our stuff in the second half way better, taking care of the basketball, (we had) 6 second-half turnovers, and trying to get that ball inside for obvious reasons," said Featherly of the late spurt. "Last night and tonight, it was evident that the girls looked inside. We pounded it in. Like everybody, we're trying to play inside-out basketball."

The Whips (19-8), who played their third game in 4 days, forced 18 turnovers, held the Chargers to 23 percent shooting, and outrebounded the visitors from Carpentersville, 28-15.

"We battled through a lot of things," said Benoit. "We didn't play a lot of teams that are as strong as that. I'm just really happy with the way we all played."

The Chargers' big front line of Paige Gieseke, Allison Michalski and Madilyn Tripp gave the Whips fits early on, contesting anything Hampshire tried to do in the painted area. Gieseke had 3 blocks and the trio altered a few other shots.

Melissa Barker led the way offensively for D-C with 13 points. Hampshire led late in the first half until Barker nailed 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to pull the Chargers (12-16) into a halftime tie.

Allison Michalski added 8 points and 5 rebounds for the Chargers.

"I don't think we occupied our inside game," said Charger coach Sarah Miller. "We didn't make the adjustments we talked about at halftime. You cannot live and die by the 3."

The Chargers didn't make their first field goal until nearly midway through the second quarter, although they only trailed by 2 thanks to 6 free throws and some stingy defense.