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Defense keys Glenbard West win against WW South

What to do when you score just 3 points in a quarter?

Allow 4 points.

Glenbard West overcame several rough offensive moments to hold on for Wednesday's 35-33 nonconference boys basketball victory over Wheaton Warrenville South in Glen Ellyn.

The Hilltoppers (5-0) were held scoreless for more than 10 minutes, including the entire second quarter, until Diallo Phillips' 3-pointer in the final seconds of the half. The defense, though, proved up for the challenge.

When the offense came around in the third quarter, the defense and rebounding remained.

“At halftime our coach told us to really focus on our defense and I felt like that's the reason we were able to win the game,” said Glenbard West sophomore Paxton Warden. “We just had to start really fast in the second half and keep that momentum going.”

After Parker Brown scored for WW South (4-3) to start the third quarter, Glenbard West surged ahead with a 9-0 run capped by another Phillips 3-pointer. The Hilltoppers led by as many as 6 points in the second half before the Tigers' defense stiffened again in the final three minutes.

Brown scored and, after Warden split a pair of free throws, Tyler Fawcett knocked down his third 3-pointer for WW South to make it 35-33 with 1:28 left. The Tigers had a last chance after the Hilltoppers missed the front end of a one-and-one, but a five-second call gave the ball back to Glenbard West.

“We didn't capitalize when we had our opportunities,” said WW South coach Mike Healy. “Not only did it kill our momentum but then it flipped the momentum to their side.”

Fawcett scored all 9 points for the Tigers in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 17 points. Brown added 14 points as the duo combined for 31 of the Tigers' 33 points.

Glenbard West didn't score a bunch but it was balanced. Warden and Braden Huff each scored 10 points.

“I felt like we got in a great rhythm in the third quarter,” said Hilltoppers coach Jason Opoka. “That really gave us the confidence to push through that game.”

Twitter: @kevin_schmit

Glenbard West's Braden Huff drives toward the basket during a game against visiting Wheaton Warrenville South on Dec. 11. Jeff Krage/For Shaw Media
Glenbard West's Colin Lewis drives toward the basket during a game against visiting Wheaton Warrenville South on Dec. 11. Jeff Krage/For Shaw Media
Glenbard West's Joey Richmond runs into Wheaton Warrenville South's Jason Haw (30) during a game in Glen Ellyn on Dec. 11. Jeff Krage/For Shaw Media
Wheaton Warrenville South's Tyler Fawcett takes a shot during a game at Glenbard West on Dec. 11. Jeff Krage/For Shaw Media
Wheaton Warrenville South's Parker Brown gets two points after a steal during a game at Glenbard West on Dec. 11. Jeff Krage/For Shaw Media
Wheaton Warrenville South's Ben Bastian takes a shot while defended by Glenbard West's Caden Pierce during a game in Glen Ellyn on Dec. 11. Jeff Krage/For Shaw Media
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