(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College rallied to edge the College of DuPage 66-61. The Chiefs trailed most of the game before finally regaining the lead with six minutes remaining. Waubonsee (5-4) then hung on in the final minutes by making six of eight free throw attempts down the stretch to hand the Chaparrals their eighth loss of the season.
DuPage, looking for their first win of the season, came out with energy against a Waubonsee team still playing without injured starters Josh McAuley and Christopher Henderson. The Chaparrals grabbed a 17-10 lead early on before Waubonsee got to within 22-20 on a driving basket by Simeon Strauss with eight minutes to go in the first half. However, a fast break lay-up, an alley-oop dunk and a three-point play staked the Chaparrals to a 29-20 lead two minutes later. A three-pointer by Jacqui Orr got Waubonsee within three at 33-30 with 1:30 to go until the break. Moments later DuPage's Tyree Spencer answered as he nailed a high arching trey as the shot clock expired. DuPage carried that 36-30 lead into halftime primarily on the strength of shooting 52 percent (16 of 31) from the floor.
A three-pointer by Addison Bode, an inside basket by Jymil Toney and a pair of free throws by Strauss got the Chiefs to within two at 44-42 seven minutes into the second half. The Chaparrals responded once more and quickly built their lead back up to seven points. A three-pointer from the left wing by Cory Adams Jr. brought the Chiefs back to within striking distance at 53-52 with nine minutes remaining. Three scoreless minutes of play ensued as the teams battled back and forth. Toney then gave the Chiefs their first lead since the opening minute of the game on an inside basket with 5;21 to go. A moment later Strauss nailed a trey from deep in the left corner after a Chiefs' steal for a 57-53 Waubonsee lead. A minute later Strauss hit a 10-foot baseline jumper after a scramble for a loose ball was tracked down by Toney. However, DuPage was able to cut the deficit to 60-59 with two minutes to go after a steal and a fast break basket by David Spell.
Strauss then hit a pair of free throws with 1:31 left. A free throw by DuPage shortly thereafter made it 62-60. The final minute both teams had chances, but could not capitalize. Spell was fouled on a move to the basket with 0:35 left, but a lane violation on the free throw attempt gave Waubonsee the ball back again. However, the Chiefs turned the ball over against DuPage's full court press and the Chaparrals called time out with 0:27 to go. DuPage misfired on their ensuing possession and Adams snagged the board and was fouled. Adams made the first of two free throw attempts to put the Chiefs ahead 63-60 with 0:14 left. A free throw by the Chaparrals with 0:08.9 cut it to 63-61 as Waubonsee called timeout. Koby Johnson was then fouled on the inbounds sending him to the line with 0:07.7 remaining. The freshman guard made the second of two free throw attempts to put the Chiefs ahead by three. A traveling violation by the Chaparrals gave Waubonsee the ball back with :05.4 left and Johnson was fouled again. He then clinched the game by nailing a pair of free throws for the 66-61 victory.
Strauss finished with 18 points to lead Waubonsee's offense. Adams tallied 10 points and handed out four assists, while Toney also netted 10 points. Tahjay Blaclmon dished out four assists, and Johnson chipped in with seven points and three assists. Overall the Chiefs' bench out scored DuPage's 23-8 while the Chaparrals shot only 41 percent ( 9 of 22) from the foul line.
The Chiefs are in action again this Saturday, December 1 when they travel north of the border to take on Milwaukee Area Technical College. The Chiefs and Storm are set to tip-off at 3:00 p.m. (CDT) on Alverno College's court in Milwaukee, with the women's contest prior to that at 1:00 p.m. Jim Williams' women's squad returns home next Tuesday, December 4 when they host Aurora University's Junior Varsity beginning at 5:00 p.m. (CDT) with Dave Heiss' men's team taking on the Spartans at 7:00 p.m. Both those games can be seen 'live' on-line at www.GoChiefs.com with IBCA Hall of Famer Mark Krueger and the Chiefs' Sports Information Specialist Steve Moga calling all the action.