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Libertyville meets the challenge, sinks Mundelein

Actually, the plan has some merit to it.

Not to give any team's secret away, but Mundelein decided to run a double-team, sometimes even a triple-team at Libertyville standout, Drew Peterson. And to be honest, it kind of worked on Tuesday night.

Peterson was held to just 9 points. OK, he still grabbed 7 rebounds.

Significantly, Peterson found his teammates open for shots.

Especially, one Brandon Rule. The senior hit three 3s on the way to a game-high 18 points.

Libertyville (8-8) never trailed in the Mundelein gym. Libertyville found playing time for most everyone in a 69-51 North Suburban Conference win.

"It's about time,'' Rule said. "But it was easy to get into a rhythm tonight. We got some easy looks."

Peterson nailed his only 3-pointer midway through the first quarter and the Wildcats were up 10-4.

"They were doubling and and tripling Drew,'' said Libertyville coach, Brent Mork. "But we hit some shots tonight. Rule hit those 3-pointers so it was important to step and hit those shots."

Both Jeff Bikus and Andrew Silva were sidelined with injuries for Mundelein. The Mustangs (2-13) fell behind late in the first half, 28-11 on a rebound bucket from Brendan Cook (4 points, 7 rebounds).

Mundelein responded to that move as both Tommy Marcotte and James Willman hit back-to-back 3-pointers to close the half down 29-18.

Mundelein opened the second half with two quick scores. Marcotte (16 points) drove to the hoop and suddenly the Wildcats' lead was down to 29-21.

"Sometimes, we lose our intensity,'' Rule said. "We needed to pick it back up. We made some adjustments."

This intensity came from back to back scores from Drew Fortini (10 points).

And when Rule began to find the range from 3-point land, the Libertyville lead had reached double figures at 49-25.

Mundelein did get some help from junior guard Kyle Enright (15 points).

"Kyle does a nice job defensively,'' said Mundelein coach Corey Knigge. "In our game with Warren, he was willing to guard the 6-foot-10 player. Kyle is just a tough kid. And he can help us on offense when he is patient and takes good shots."

Enright's 3-point play came in the final 30 seconds of the third quarter.

Again, Libertyville answered back with a steal and bucket from Chase Eyre.

The third quarter lead was comfortable at 53-32.

Despite the large deficit, the home team didn't quit. Mundelein hit four 3s in the final quarter, including their final three shots of the game. James Willman (11 points) and Nick Parmley hit 3s in the fourth quarter. And both Enright and Marcotte joined in the fun to close out the

scoring.

Mork was able to clear most of his bench in the final minutes. Grant Bair scored the final 4 points for the Cats.

"When we are playing well we are capable of doing just this,'' Rule added.

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