With March Madness only two weeks away, it is the time of the season for thrilling upsets. Fortunately for Schaumburg, a three-point shot for Prospect fell short with 2 seconds left in the game, allowing the Saxons to escape with a 44-41 victory at home Friday night.
The Saxons (15-8) used a balanced attack, in which all eight players who saw action scored at least three points, with no one player scoring in double figures. Senior Jason Edwards led the way with nine, including Schaumburg’s final three points of the game to provide the margin of victory.
The Knights (11-11) led 12-11 after one quarter and scored the first basket of the second quarter before things fell apart. Schaumburg countered with an 11-0 run that resulted from its full-court press and took a 22-14 lead into halftime.
“We stepped up our defense and got some easy baskets on the other end as a result,” said Schaumburg coach Bob Williams.
Prospect started play in the third quarter with a three-guard lineup and forced Schaumburg to into some problems on the defensive end. Senior Matt Walpole scored 10 of his game-high 12 points in the quarter as the Knights came within five points of the lead with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
But Isaac Holloway had an answer. The Saxon senior scored two straight baskets to deflate the Prospect
rally and keyed two more baskets with a couple of steals. Holloway led a Saxon press that took advantage of an inexperienced Knight backcourt. Prospect played without starting point guard Andrew Adams, out with an injury.
“Coach told me at halftime to look to score and put good pressure on their young guards,” said Holloway, who finished with seven points.
The Knights refused to go away and cut the lead to 43-41 midway through the fourth quarter, sparked by a layup and free throws by reserve guard Taki Mullins.
The Knights’ efforts fell short, however, as Edwards hit a free throw for Schaumburg and Prospect missed three shots that would have tied the game in the last minute.
