Szuba, Gardner key to Prospect's win

Senior forward Matt Szuba set the tone for Prospect at Buffalo Grove on Friday night, and starter-turned-reserve Antonio Gardner came up with a big play with 4:26 left in the game.

Their combined efforts helped the Knights win a key Mid-Suburban East battle with the short-handed Bison 74-68.

Prospect remains atop the conference race with a 15-4 overall and 5-1 divisional record. The Knights have won 12 of their last 13.

"We're just finding ways to win," said Prospect coach John Camardella. "Even on nights when we don't shoot well, the players find other ways to score."

Camardella didn't have to worry about Szuba's scoring.

Szuba scored 23 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out 7 assists - an improvement over a nice line from the previous game (16 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists) against Hinsdale Central last Saturday.

"It was hard to control Szuba the way he was playing and shooting the ball," said Bison coach Keith Peterson.

"Here's the thing about Matt," said Camardella. "He knows going into a game what he has to do to help us win, and he does it. The ball goes through him. He knows some nights that he has to score, rebound and assist to others."

Szuba helped keep the Knights in the game in the first quarter with two 3s, but Prospect trailed 17-12 to the scrappy Bison (11-8, 3-3).

Things really got tight after that.

After the Knights took their first lead at 18-17 with 6:45 to go in the second quarter, the lead changed hands 21 times with 3 ties over the next 19 minutes.

Prospect's biggest lead was 35-30 just before half and the Bison lead was 44-41 with 3:20 left in the third quarter.

A big play came moments later when Buffalo Grove center Mac Camardo was whistled for his third foul in error, instead of teammate Kyle Zyck. The officials discussed the play after Peterson protested, but the call stayed the same.

"That was a big play," said Peterson. "We have the lead and we have to take him out."

Camardo eventually fouled out with :05 left in the game.

Prospect led 49-46 after Grant Whitebloom's putback with :33 left in the third quarter.

Jack Vaselaney, who was brilliant in defeat with 28 points, connected on a 3-point play at the end of the quarter, knotting the game at 49.

Zellmer's 3 from the left corner gave the Knights the lead for good at 59-56 with 5:01 left. Gardner followed with his only basket, a 3, to put Prospect up 62-56.

"It was big points for us," said Gardner who's just getting his game back after missing several weeks with a broken foot. "I got a good pass from Matt and had the feeling when I shot that it would go in."

"I like dishing out the assists," said Szuba. "I just didn't want to lose this game. I don't care about the numbers as much as I want the wins. We've won 12 of 13 because we have great chemistry on this team. We all want to keep winning. We want to leave a legacy at Prospect when we graduate."

Prospect's Frankie Mack had a strong game with 20 points to go with 7 rebounds. David Swedura added 14 points and Zemmer 8. The Knights cashed in at the free throw line by hitting on 29 of 39 attempts. Prospect hit on 15 of 20 foul shots in the fourth quarter.

Camardo scored 15 points and Demetri Lamnick had 13.

"Even though we lost," said Peterson, "it was a good bounce-back game for us. We played well. I am happy with the effort. Prospect is a good team. The executed when they had to."

The Bison were shorthanded, with Zack Fricke and Tom Trieb missing due to injury.