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Better start brings better result for Buffalo Grove

Buffalo Grove's boys basketball team shook off a strong challenge from Zion-Benton on Saturday to claim second place at the Bison Classic.

The Bison opened a 22-point lead in the second quarter en route to a 61-48 win and finished with a 3-1 record for the invite.

BG coach Keith Peterson was happy with the result in what he called a "competitive tournament like this."

"Especially after the way we played in the first half (on Friday)," said Peterson, referring to a 64-42 loss to Naperville Central, a game in which BG trailed 37-13 at halftime. "I'm very pleased with the way we played the final three halves of this tourney."

The Bison opened up a double-digit lead early in the second quarter at 18-7 when senior center Mac Camardo hit a reverse layup.

They kept pouring it on in the second period, building the lead to 32-10 just before half with two consecutive baskets from 6-foot-5 center Brendan Reid, who gave his team a lift with 6 points off the bench.

"This is a good start," said Reid of the BG's three tournament wins. "There are some great teams here, and this is a big challenge to start the season."

"They (Zion-Benton) like to pressure you a lot," added Reid of the strong Z-B effort on defense. "When you play a team like them you've got to be on your toes."

BG kept up the double-digit lead through most of the final two quarters, but Z-B got to within 10 early in the fourth period.

Then Camardo scored 5 consecutive points to extend the Bison lead.

"We came out strong and fast at the start," said BG senior guard Kyle Adams. "We hit a bump after halftime but just kept pushing through."

Zion-Benton finally got the deficit below 10 points when a 3-point basket by Amar Augillard brought the Zee-Bees to within 55-48 with 1:33 left in the game.

But BG wouldn't allow Zion to score again.

A couple of late baskets by junior forward Tom Trieb (14 points, 10 rebounds) helped the Bison put the game away.

Camardo led BG with 15 points and Jack Vaselaney added 14.

Caleb Mayhorn pitched in with 7.

The Bison finished 2-of -12 from 3-point range, while Z-B was 3-for-12 on 3's.

BG was 15-of-22 from the free throw line with Vaselaney hitting 7-of-8.

"This is a grind over the break, with a lot of tough teams here," said Adams, who was impressed with his team's strong start. "It's really good to get the season going like this."

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