Streamwood uses quick start to beat Larkin, win 10th game
A fast start was key for Streamwood in Tuesday's Upstate Eight matchup at Larkin. The Sabres grabbed a 10-0 lead and that very nearly was the final margin in a 47-36 win.
Streamwood led 32-16 at halftime, then watched the Royals cut the margin to 7 before regrouping to close out the win.
Larkin held Streamwood's Mandy Mien to 10 points, including just 2 in the second half. After the Sabres' fast start, the Royals switched to a box-and-one defense with Jamylin DeLeon and Kathy Garcia taking turns on Mien.
But the Sabres, missing 2 regular rotation players, saw some others step up. Peyton Hedger scored 13 points to go with 7 rebounds. Idalyd Ocampo added 9 points, and Sayuri Ishikawa contributed 7.
Kaylee Angle hit 2 big 3-pointers in the first quarter but quickly got in foul trouble and scored just those 6 points before fouling out.
Ashley Miller had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Larkin.
"We definitely struggle without Mandy, but it was about us getting everyone else open with the screens and trying different things that we normally don't," said Hedger, who scored 11 of her points in the middle 2 quarters.
"They changed the game on us a little bit in the second half and we had to adjust to it," said Streamwood coach George Rosner. "It was tough, and I'm glad. The girls had to play through some things that they haven't had to deal with before.
"A lot of adversity, but that's OK. This time of year, it's good to play with that and see how your team responds."
Larkin went on a 14-4 run to cut the lead to 36-29 early in the fourth quarter. But the Sabres regrouped quickly.
A driving layup by Mien and a short jumper by Hedger restored the double-digit lead. After a pair of free throws by Miller made it 40-31, Ishikawa completed an old-fashioned 3-point play for a 12-point lead.
The Sabres then iced the game at the free-throw line, with Ishikawa and Ocampo each hitting a pair.
Brianna Young and Aaliyah Dixon each scored 7 points for the Royals.
"We came out the game 10-0 and end up losing by 11, that just tells you the picture of how we came out," said Larkin coach Steve Knapp. "You can't ever come out against any team and give up a 10-0 run and expect to win."
The Royals connected on just 9 of 44 attempts from the field, but stayed in the game by going 17-for-24 at the free-throw line. Miller went 7-for-10 and Dixon 4-for-5.
The Sabres hit double-digit victories for the season, winning their 10th game after starting 0-8.