Tucker, LZ getting used to winning identity

Go ahead, call him the masked man.

Will Tucker's story is a familiar one: Take an elbow to the nose, and that hurts. Yes, the Lake Zurich sophomore broke his nose in the mishap.

But no matter these days, as they can fit you with a protective mask.

"It took awhile to get adjusted, but now I'm fine," Tucker said.

On Wednesday night, Tucker and his mask came out on fire. Of the Bears' seven 3-pointers, in the first half, Tucker had 4 on perfect shooting. His last one of the night gave Lake Zurich a 35-21 lead at Mundelein.

By the end of the third quarter that lead was down to one 3-pointer at 41-38.

Lake Zurich (17-5, 4-3) held off the Mustangs 50-44 in North Suburban Conference boys hoops.

"Mundelein is too good to run away from," said Lake Zurich coach Billy Pitcher. "That Silva (Andrew) was a monster tonight. He might be the best post player around. He's got a great feel for the game."

Silva finished with 17 points, and teammate Jeff Bikus dropped in three 3-pointers and had 17 points and 8 rebounds.

Early on it was Lake Zurich's 3-point shooting that kept the Bears ahead.

"He can shoot," Pitcher said of Tucker. "And his teammates made the extra pass to get him the ball. A 3 for Will is a layup."

So is that true, Will Tucker?

"I have a lot of confidence in my shot," Tucker said. "I was able to take advantage of that tonight."

Confidence is spreading through this 17-game winner.

"We've won 10 out of 11," Tucker added. "We are working well together. JR Cison has done a nice job at the point. We are really having fun."

The halftime lead was still solid at 35-25. Mundelein poured on the defensive pressure in the second half. In the meantime both Silva and Bikus were scoring for the Mustangs. On a Bikus 3, the lead had shrunken to 41-38.

Lake Zurich had just one field goal in the fourth quarter. But good free throw shooting down the stretch paved the way in the win. Peter DiCerbo (9 points), Cison (11 points) and Tyler Sarvardy connected at the line.

Mundelein had 8 points from freshman point guard Conor Enright.