(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Waubonsee's Darnell Wright almost could do no wrong Tuesday evening in the Chiefs' 70-60 comeback victory over Moraine Valley Community College. The 6'5" sophomore forward was a dominating force, pouring in 30 points and corralling 23 rebounds to lead Waubonsee (18-10, 8-5) to an impressive win in their regular season home finale. The Cyclones (18-11, 10-3) came into the game leading the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and had previously beaten the Chiefs by 10 points in Palos Hills on Jan. 25.
Prior to the start Waubonsee recognized their six sophomores playing in their final regular season home game. Moraine Valley then scored the game's first basket just 14 seconds after the tip off. Waubonsee responded by reeling off the contest's next 12 points to take a 10-point lead just five minutes in. The Cyclones stormed back with a 20-2 run over a seven-minute span to erase an eight-point deficit and take a 36-28 halftime lead. Wright did all he could to keep the Chiefs in the game as he scored 15 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the first half alone. The Chiefs committed 11 turnovers and their bench was out scored 18-2 in the first half.
Waubonsee stayed within striking distance, but still trailed throughout much of the second half. The Chiefs finally caught up to the Cyclones, tying the game with six minutes to go on the second of two free throws by Wright. A three-pointer from the left corner by Deland "DJ" Deere put Waubonsee in front 62-59 with four and half minutes remaining. The Chiefs never trailed after that, out scoring Moraine Valley 8-1 down the stretch. Waubonsee out scored the Cyclones 42-24 in the second half and out rebounded them 55-29 for the game.
Wright led all scorers with his aforementioned 30 points, a season-high for him. The Chicago Tilden High School graduate's 23 rebounds were just shy of the 25 boards the Chiefs' Phil Neal grabbed in a win over Lake County in 1971, and the 25 caroms Mike Leonard snagged in a victory over Kishwaukee in 2005. Wright also blocked three shots and handed out a pair of assists while recording his ninth double-double of the season. Deere added 13 points, and Jake Pike chipped in with 11 points. Jacob Niesman dished out four assists and hauled in six rebounds, and Demetrius Ewing registered three assists and six boards.
Waubonsee's next game is this Thursday, February 22, when travel to Oakton Community College in Des Plaines for their final regular season contest. The Chiefs are set to begin play in the Region IV Division II Tournament play next Thursday, March 1 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. For more information on Chiefs' Athletics go to www.GoChiefs.com.