Here’s how crazy basketball can get.
In Buffalo Grove’s recent victory over Elk Grove, the third-ranked Bison scored 20 points in a 2 1/2-minute stretch. In Saturday’s Sweet 16 tournament game at Lake Zurich, Buffalo Grove had only 16 points at halftime and trailed unranked Maine West 21-16.
But the Bison were able to turn things around to escape with a 47-44 win and a share of the tournament title with Fenwick. Rachel Buchek had seven fourth-quarter points–including a three-pointer that gave Buffalo Grove (26-1) a 40-38 lead with three minutes left.
“I have to give them credit,” said Buchek, who finished with nine points. “They played a really good matchup zone and we stood around. Stood around the three-point arc, shot threes that weren’t falling. When we drove to the basket we didn’t make our layups.”
Ellen Ayoub got three three-pointers to fall in the second half and led Buffalo Grove with 14 points while Maggie Mocchi added 11. Brittany Begrowicz and Caitlin Rehder each scored 16 for Maine West (18-8). Earlier Ayoub hit four three-pointers on the way to 20 points in a 67-32 victory over Providence.
No. 2 Fenwick (24-1), whose only loss was to No. 1 Bolingbrook on Jan. 13, started its day with a 66-37 victory over Schaumburg as Devereaux Peters collected 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks. Then Alison Jackson scored 18 to lead the Friars past Naperville Central 78-35. Fenwick and Buffalo Grove each finished 5-0 in the tournament.
No. 6 Marist rallied to defeat No. 7 New Trier 58-46. The RedHawks (24-2) trailed 31-18 late in the second quarter, then went on a 22-2 run.
“We just stuck to our game plan and started running,” said Lauren Niemiera, who had eight of her 10 points and four rebounds in the third quarter. “We figured we’re not going to be able to beat them inside, so we have got to run faster.”
Maureen Mulchrone led Marist with 24 points while Amy Jaeschke had 19 points, eight rebounds for New Trier (20-5).
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asutton@tribune.com
