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Buffalo Grove executes late, beats Dundee-Crown

After going 0-4 in the 35th Komaromy Classic a year ago, Buffalo Grove couldn't wait for the 36th edition of Dundee-Crown's annual girls basketball tournament.

The Bison got started on the right foot Wednesday, using a 10-2 run late in the fourth quarter to come from behind and defeat host Dundee-Crown, 44-42.

Buffalo Grove (9-4), now 6-1 in its last 7 games, advances to the quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against New Trier, a 54-50 winner over Naperville Central.

"We struggled a little here last year and it's good to come back," said junior guard Macy Floro, who led all scorers with 18 points.

Dundee-Crown (10-4) will play Naperville Central at 12:30 p.m. The Chargers came out cold, making just 2 of 10 shots in the first quarter and 5 of 17 in the first half to fall behind 22-13 at halftime.

The Chargers also turned the ball over 21 times including 8 in the second quarter and a couple costly ones late in the fourth quarter after they had rallied from 11 points down to take the lead.

"We went outside our game plan," Chargers coach Sarah Miller said. "We didn't play our game. A lot of turnovers were unforced. Not wanting the ball in our hands, not playing confident."

Led by Kendra Lee with 10 rebounds and Sydney Fortman with 8 boards, the Bison built their first-half lead in part by getting numerous second and third chances.

Senior guard Jackie Bickhaus also sliced through the Chargers defense for a couple lay-ins, scoring 7 of her 9 points in the first half.

Dundee-Crown rallied in the third quarter by getting in the ball inside, sinking 7 of 9 shots and going ahead 30-29 when Katelyn Skibinski found Alyssa Crenshaw down low.

That was the first of six lead changes during a competitive final 10 minutes. The Chargers took their final lead at 36-34 when Makayla Gotter made a pair of free throws.

Buffalo Grove tied it on Floro's drive. Fortman's putback gave the Bison the lead, then she battled for another offensive rebound while falling down and alertly passed back to Lee for a jumper and 40-36 lead with 3:20 remaining.

Two more baskets from Floro including one when she deflected a pass that led to a steal and her layup, gave the Bison a 44-38 lead with 30 seconds to go and enough of a cushion to survive four late points for the Chargers. Buffalo Grove missed a 1-and-1 with 6.4 seconds left but the Chargers weren't able to get off a final shot as the Bison once again stole the ball just after Dundee-Crown crossed half-court.

"I personally like defense more than offense," said Floro, who had 3 steals. "I like to be aggressive and get in people's heads."

"When we saw we had Dundee-Crown we knew we had our hands full," Bison coach Steve Kolodziej said. "Any time you can get a win in this tournament on the winner's side you know you did some things right. It was a little hectic and chaotic at the end but we found a way to close it out. We'll move on and get ready for tomorrow."

Crenshaw (12 points), Payton Schmidt (12) and Skibinski (11) all reached double figures for the Chargers.

"Just disappointed in not coming to play," Miller said. "We played a quarter-and-a-half of good basketball. We have to not rush offense, play more disciplined."

  Dundee-Crown's Payton Schmidt tries to control the ball against Buffalo Grove in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown's Katelyn Skibinski tries to get around Buffalo Grove's Megan Fontanetta in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Buffalo Grove's Hannah Young and Dundee-Crown's Makayla Gotter compete for a rebound in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Buffalo Grove's Raegan Little loses her grip as she charges up court against Dundee-Crown in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown's Alyssa Crenshaw reaches for a rebound against Buffalo Grove in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown's Payton Schmidt tries to pass around Buffalo Grove's Sydney Fortman and Jacqueline Bickhaus in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Buffalo Grove's Sydney Fortman and Kendra Lee, right, defend Dundee-Crown's Alyssa Crenshaw in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Buffalo Grove's Macy Floro drives around Dundee-Crown's Shiniah Walker in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown's Payton Schmidt knocks the ball from the grip of Buffalo Grove's Sydney Fortman in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Buffalo Grove's Macy Floro loses her grip on the ball as Dundee-Crown's Payton Schmidt defends in a girls basketball game at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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