This time result goes Dundee-Crown's way
Revenge is sweet.
Just ask that question to Dundee-Crown head coach Lance Huber.
The Chargers staved off a valiant fourth-quarter rally by the Red Raiders to post a 53-50 Fox Valley Conference victory in Huntley Tuesday night. Dundee-Crown lost to Huntley in Carpentersville 56-39 Dec 1.
"Every game in this conference is a meat grinder," Huber said. "There are no easy nights or breathers in the conference. All the teams are tough. We rebounded better in this game than the previous game against Huntley and that was huge. We played very well for three quarters. Huntley had us on our heels in the fourth quarter. We were able to hold off their rally for a big road win."
Dundee-Crown (15-3, 7-2) totally controlled the game for three quarters. The Chargers - 14 of 20 from the field, a perfect 9 of 9 from the free-throw line - led 39-27 heading into the fourth quarter. The Chargers had many contributors during the first 24 minutes. Michalski, 5 of 6 from the field, scored 13 points while Kyle Huber off the bench scored 6, including a 3-pointer from NBA range. Damarion Butler tallied 5.
Despite three 3-pointers by Davis Pasco for 9 points and 6 points from Ryan Sroka, Huntley's fourth-quarter comeback fell short. Dundee-Crown opened the door for the Red Raiders comeback by converting only 10 of 22 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.
"We did not play well for three quarters," said Huntley coach Will Benson. "We had a lack of concentration and had way too many mental errors. We did too many little things wrong and it cost us. For the first three quarters we gave them way too many easy shots and way too many second shots. Dundee-Crown is too well-coached and well-disciplined to make that many mistakes."
Michalski paced the Chargers with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.
"We studied the film from the last game and we knew we didn't play well," Michalski said. "We were more patient on offense, got easy shots and spaced the floor better. This was a big win on the road."
Butler added 9 points with 6 assists and Trayvon Hatcher scored 8 with 5 assists.
Sroka led the Red Raiders (10-6, 5-3) with 17, including a 3. Uchenna Egekeze added 10 with 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
"We played well in spurts and played with great effort," Benson said. "We gave ourselves a chance to win and the game went down to one possession. I always tell the kids when it is that close it could come down to one decision that I made."