West Aurora was forced to show its free-throw shooting prowess in the Streamwood gym Tuesday night, and nobody ”showed” more in the clutch than Rod Smith.
Smith had only five points for the game, but all came on foul shots in the final minute to ensure West Aurora`s 49-46 Upstate Eight Conference victory.
West Aurora (9-10, 7-4) was 7 of 9 from the line in the fourth quarter, and 15 of 19 for the game. Streamwood, in contrast, was 2 for 3 for the game on free throws. The Sabres had to foul in an effort to get the ball.
The strategy nearly paid off for Streamwood in the third quarter when the Sabres outscored West Aurora 9-6 to pull to within one at 33-32, but West Aurora held its poise to post its seventh consecutive win.
”Every time we come over here we have to struggle,” said West Aurora coach Gordon Kerkman. ”They always play us tough.”
West Aurora`s scoring was led by Richard Winston (16 points), Demond Rayford (13) and Damon Burrell (12). Streamwood (2-17, 0-11) got 16 apiece from Darick Loving and Eric Brusca.
Bradley-Bourbonnais 63, Sandburg 51-Chris Gandy (24 points) led four players in double figures for No. 7 Bradley (17-1). Dave Markusic (21 points, five three-pointers) led Sandburg.
Crystal Lake South 77, Cary-Grove 52-Eric Nawracaj poured in 33 points and Jon Peterson 12 as Crystal Lake South (11-8, 6-3) rolled in the Fox Valley. Cary-Grove fell to 7-12, 2-7.
Genoa-Kingston 58, Richmond-Burton 57-David Groelle hit a base-line jumper with :04 left to win it for Genoa-Kingston (7-9, 5-2 in the Big Eight Conference).
Plano 66, Seneca 63 (2 OT)-Tim Wilke had 22 for Plano (8-10, 4-6 in the Interstate Eight). Jason Aubry had 25 for Seneca (8-11, 5-5).
Thornton Fractional North 62, Whiting (Ind.) 43-Mike Lackland had 18 points as T.F. North (13-5) broke open a tight game (T.F. North led 24-22 at the half). LaAndre Rogers added 13 for T.F. North.
Westmont 54, Montini 49-Andy Sterba (14 points), Mark Baetzel (13) and Brian Behrens (13) led Westmont (10-9) to the non-conference win.
