Bartlett wins battle for UEC lead behind Sinclair's 31
With the way Bartlett puts points on the scoreboard, teams can't afford lulls.
South Elgin didn't have many in scoring 57 points of its own Friday night, but a 6-minute stretch to start the second half was too much for the Storm to overcome in the battle for the Upstate Eight Conference championship.
The Hawks held South Elgin scoreless for the first 6:30 of the third quarter, forcing the Storm into 7 turnovers and 0-for-8 shooting. What had been a tight 4-point game late in the first half ballooned to 51-33 early in the fourth quarter.
South Elgin finally found its groove again, sinking six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. But it wasn't enough in a 64-57 Bartlett victory that goes a long way to clinching the Hawks' second straight conference crown.
Bartlett (23-4, 15-1) can make it official by winning next week against either Glenbard East or Elgin. The Hawks swept the season series from South Elgin (16-10, 13-2).
"When they hit 3s like that they are lethal," Bartlett coach Brad Hunt said. "We struggled guarding the 3 but we held our own. My girls played well."
South Elgin, who lost for the first time since Christmas break, never led but stayed close with a balanced attack featuring Madison Waichunas (17 points), Megan McClure (15), freshman Caroline Croft (10) and Casey Brennan (8).
Down 23-17 after a high-scoring first quarter, the Storm were still within 33-29 until Lexie Sinclair scored on a layup and then hit a free throw to end the first half. That started an 18-4 surge into the fourth quarter that included South Elgin's ice cold third quarter.
"That spurt in the third quarter really killed us," Storm coach Dan Mandernack said. "That stretch was pretty much the game."
South Elgin had no answer all night for Sinclair who scored 17 of her 31 points in the first half, sank 11 of 13 free throws, and notched her second straight 30-point game.
"One thing that really helped is that (freshman guard) Mackenzie (Hare) is such a lethal shooter that they face guard her so she can't find shots so that opens up lanes for everyone else," Sinclair said.
Sinclair and Justina Hernandez (14 points, 10 rebounds) repeatedly sliced through South Elgin's defense for good looks near the rim.
"They were really guarding Mac today and Lexie is phenomenal at going to the rim and finishing," Hunt said. "And if they rotate she's good at kicking. And you really can't leave us because then you are picking your poison."
After Savannah Standefer and Teagan Noesen began the fourth quarter with layups to open Bartlett's biggest lead at 18, Brennan connected on consecutive 3s to start South Elgin's comeback.
Brennan's steal and assist to Waichunas for another 3 capped a 14-2 run that brought the Storm within 53-47 with four minutes to go.
South Elgin got as close as 62-57 on McClure's 3 with 44 seconds remaining. After a rare missed free throw - Bartlet sank 17 of 20 - the Storm had a chance to make it a one-possession game only to see Sinclair steal the ball and go the other way for a game-clinching layup.
"Our kids really battled back," Mandernack said. "I just love their heart. I told them to bottle up this feeling but at the end of the day we have a bigger game to play. Learn from it. Bartlett is really good."