Elgin falls to Collins

A wide-open layup that would have tied the game rimmed out at the buzzer.

It was that kind of night for the Elgin boys basketball team as Chicago Collins hung on for a 58-56 victory in nonconference action at Chesbrough Field House.

The loss wasted a superb effort by Dan Toolsie, who poured in 33 points.

Of course, as Elgin coach Mike Sitter pointed out, the Maroons helped seal their fate long before that final shot circled the rim and rolled out.

The Maroons led 56-54 on a driving layup by Toolsie. Demarcus Williams tied it for Collins with the last of his 19 points. After the Warriors blocked 2 shots on Elgin's next possession, Jaquan Embrey finally controlled the rebound for Collins, and Frequon Loury made a layup to put the Warriors ahead for good.

Elgin had a chance to set up a play after a timeout with 11 seconds left and the Maroons got the look they wanted but couldn't convert.

Trevon Morris added 9 points for Elgin (1-7). Roy Panthier grabbed 8 rebounds, and John Fortmann added 5 points and 5 assists.

The teams traded runs in the first half, with Collins scoring 10 straight to go up 23-11. Elgin answered with a 17-4 spurt to take its first lead at 28-27. After that, the game was extremely tight. The lead changed hands 9 more times and neither team led by more than 4.

Also irritating Sitter was Collins' 38-21 edge on the boards. Demajaie Walton grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with 12 points for the Warriors.

Toolsie was everywhere on the offensive end for Elgin, scoring 11 points in the second quarter and 10 in the third. He hit 11 of 23 shots overall, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range.