ELGIN — Clarkson/Leigh made it close at the end, but they couldn’t overtake Elgin Public-Pope John Friday night as the Wolfpack posted a 58 to 56 victory.
In a game where each team seized momentum, the Wolfpack prevailed by making some clutch free throws in the game’s final moments.
Up by four points, 55 to 51 with just over a minute left to play, the Patriots fouled Chad Bode. A junior, Bode calmly sank two free throws to give the Wolfpack a six-point lead. Teammate Seth Schumacher then sank one of two free throws for a 58 to 51 lead.
With the game seemingly in hand, the Wolfpack managed to hold on as the Patriots scored five points in the last six seconds to cut the final margin to two points.
The Wolfpack controlled the action for much of the game. They would build leads of as many as seven points in the third quarter only to see the Patriots rally. A trey by Dylan Behnk gave the Wolfpack a 43 to 37 lead at the end of the third quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter the Patriots went on an 11 to five run to knot the score at 48-all with 4:14 left to play. EPPJ answered with points from Bode and Behnk to take a 51 to 48 lead, only to see Colby Becker sink a trey to tie the score at 51-all, setting the stage for the game’s frantic final moments.
In the first half the teams traded baskets. The Wolfpack led by one after the first quarter, then took a three-point lead at halftime, 27 to 24, thanks to a two-pointer from Austin Meis just before the buzzer.
Behnk led the Wolfpack with 18 points, Schumacher had 15 and Bode tossed in 13.
The victory improved the Wolfpack’s record to 10-11 heading into the last regular season game Friday night at St. Mary’s. EPPJ will begin subdistrict play on Tuesday night, Feb. 22, at O’Neill High School.
Wolfpack 58, Patriots 56
Patriots……..12 12 13 19 — 56
Wolfpack……13 14 16 15 — 58
Wolfpack — Dylan Behnk 7-10 0-0 18, Chad Bode 4-7 5-6 13, Kyle Kallhoff 2-5 0-0 4, Austin Meis 3-8 2-2 8, Scott Moser 0-3 0-0 0, Seth Schumacher 6-11 1-3 15. Team totals: 22-44 8-11 58.
Team statistics — Three-point shots 6-13 (Dylan Behnk 4). Rebounds – Wolfpack 35 (Chad Bode 10). Assists – Wolfpack 11 (Kyle Kallhoff 7). Steals – Wolfpack 5 (Dylan Behnk 2). Turnovers – Wolfpack 7.
