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Batavia makes easy work of Elgin

Tuesday night regular season boys basketball games during the school year can be difficult for high school teams.

Crowds are usually smaller, leaving the players a little more on their own to bring the necessary energy levels.

Eric Peterson helped provide that much-needed spark during Batavia's 65-35 Upstate Eight Conference River Division victory over visiting Elgin (4-10, 0-6).

The 6-foot-3 senior guard recorded 3 steals in the game's first 2 ½ minutes and added 12 of his 14 first-half points in the second quarter as the Bulldogs (14-3, 5-1) built a 30-17 halftime advantage.

Peterson, who sat out much of the fourth quarter after his team's lead swelled past 20 points, finished with a game-high 18 points, 8 rebounds, 8 steals, 4 assists and a blocked shot as the Bulldogs earned their seventh win in 8 games.

"I think it was our first (Tuesday night) game during the school year," said Peterson. "I thought 'Naz' (Bulldogs coach Jim Nazos) did a good job getting us ready yesterday and before the game today."

Batavia put the game out of reach with a 12-1 run during the first 6:58 of the third quarter that included back-to-back layups by Blake Carlson (10 points) and 3-point baskets from Riley Cooper (9 points, 6 assists) and Peterson.

The Bulldogs forced 11 of the Maroons' 27 turnovers in the third quarter.

"The biggest thing is just effort," said Peterson. "A big part of that is off the ball. If we have pressure on the ball and we're getting up on them off the ball, it's very hard for them."

Trevon Morris scored 10 points for Elgin, which received 25 of its 35 points from its reserves.

"At the end of the third quarter, we had more turnovers than points," said Maroons coach Mike Sitter. "Our statistician had us for 22 points and 23 turnovers. A lot of those turnovers were unforced - stuff we don't do on a regular basis.

"Credit Batavia - they're physical. They're only going to give us one shot down the floor. They're all 6-3 and football-strong so they outweigh us by 30 pounds and have 3 inches on us at every spot. That just wears on you eventually."

Sophomore Jayden Johnson tallied 15 points and Collin Richter added 6 points for the Bulldogs, who overcame 33 percent field-goal shooting (22 of 67).

"Maybe we didn't shoot the best but we rebounded well, especially offensively, and got some things in transition," said Nazos. "Elgin played hard. They played a nice game last Tuesday against Geneva (58-53 loss) so we know they're tough.

"It was a good win. I like where we're at."

The win enabled the Bulldogs to remain within a game (loss column) of division-leading Larkin (5-0).

Batavia will face South Elgin and Rockford Jefferson Saturday in Rockford as part of the 2-day MLK tournament.

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