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Libertyville sneaks past Zion-Benton to run win streak to 14

If it isn't broken, don't fix it. Especially when everyone is healthy.

"That (health) and priding ourselves on defense has been big for us, especially during the streak," said Libertyville head coach Greg Pedersen, whose girls basketball team escaped with a 38-37 North Suburban Conference victory at Zion-Benton on Friday night.

The Wildcats now own a 14-game winning streak and an 18-4 overall mark, which includes first-place at 8-1 in the NSC. They've also held opponents to under 40 points per game.

"We just stick to our guns," added the coach. "Nothing out of the ordinary. We like ordinary."

Libertyville's victory over the Zee-Bees was anything but, as Zion is also having a nice campaign now at 14-9 overall and 5-3 in the league.

"Close games are the way it's always been with them (Zion-Benton)," Pedersen said. "They always play tough and so gritty."

It wasn't until late in the contest that Libertyville finally pulled ahead after trailing since the score was 2-2 early on.

Junior guard Lauren Huber canned 2 free throws with 2:36 left to give the Cats the lead for good and ultimately the margin of victory.

"We started so slow but pick it up in the third quarter," said Huber, who netted 10 points while grabbing 7 boards. That included all 5 of Libertyville's points in a defensive-minded fourth quarter.

"They have a power duo at point guard and are such a great team. They always give us trouble."

After Huber's free-throws, Zion had a couple of chances but late turnovers hurt its cause.

Except when Libertyville turned the ball over with .04 ticks left on the clock. A catch-and-shoot by Zion's Rayna Jamison, a senior transfer point guard from Carmel Catholic, bounced off the rim as the clock expired.

"Whew," said Huber.

Even the usually cool, calm, and collected Pedersen breathed a sigh of relief.

"It was a combination of bad shots and bad shot selection in the first half," he noted. "But we came out with more resolve in the third quarter. We didn't let them rebound as much."

Zion-Benton outscored the Cats 10-6 in the first. Freshman forward Emily Fisher (12 points) got things going with 6 points in the frame. The Bees were led by senior forward Morgan Callahan, who poured in a game-high 18. Jayda Mills added 10 points.

At the 1:48 mark left in the half, Zion went on an 8-2 run and create some separation at halftime, 26-19. A rebound and layup by Huber had ended the spree.

Callahan pumped in 9 more points in the frame to give the hosts a lift.

A trey by Mills gave Zion its biggest lead 33-25 with 2:44 left in the third.

But Fisher converted a three-point play and start an 8-2 run that was capped by a trey from senior guard Lydia Crow (7 points).

The fourth featured four lead changes leading up to Huber's free throws.

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