(Sugar Grove, IL.) – After a hot start by the College of Lake County, Waubonsee Community College's men's basketball team regrouped to take a 79-71 victory in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) action. The Chiefs (17-9, 7-4) put together a big second half scoring 48 points to rally for head coach Dave Heiss' 625th career coaching win.
The visiting Lancers raced out to a 20-6 lead midway through the first half. Waubonsee eventually got on track and put together a 25-11 run to pull within 32-31 at the break. A tightly contested second half ensued in a game that featured 12 lead changes and five ties. Sparked by their defensive pressure, the Chiefs took the lead with 7:45 left and never relinquished it thereafter. Waubonsee took its biggest lead at 68-59 with 3:23 remaining on a three-point basket by Demetrius Ewing. The Lancers never got closer than five points the rest of the way as the Chiefs nailed seven free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
Darnell Wright led all scorers with 27 points, booking a double-double by also grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with four assists and three steals. Ewing netted 14 points, hauled down eight boards and handed out three assists. Deland "DJ" Deere chipped in with 10 points and three assists, Christopher Henderson contributed nine points, while Jacob Niesman and Addison Bode each registered four assists. Lake County's Catoni Collins, who entered the evening as the leading scorer in the country among NJCAA Division II players, finished with 26 points to go along with grabbing 15 rebounds, dishing out six assists and making seven steals.
Waubonsee's next game is this Saturday, February 17, when travel to Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. The Chiefs return home to Erickson Hall next Tuesday when they play Moraine Valley Community College in their regular season home finale. Coach Jim Williams' women's team is set to tipoff at 5:15 p.m. against the Cyclones, while Coach Dave Heiss' men's team is set to square off at 7:15 p.m. (CDT). Both games can been seen 'live' on-line at www.Waubonsee.edu/athletics or locally on cable television. Check with your local cable provider for the channel in your area. For more information on Chiefs' Athletics you can also go to NJCAA.org.