(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Defense was the name of the game as far as Waubonsee Community College was concerned. The Chiefs clamped down defensively throughout the game leading to a 63-55 victory over Benedictine University's Junior Varsity. Waubonsee limited the visiting Eagles to just 28 percent (17 of 60) shooting from the floor, including only 15 percent (6 of 40) from three-point range.
The Chiefs gradually built a 15-7 lead midway through the first half. A short, left-handed jump hook by Jymil Toney pushed Waubonsee's lead to double digits at 19-8 with 7:30 left. The defensive battle continued from there as the Chiefs held a 23-13 lead with 2:30 remaining. A moment later Koby Johnson took a charge on the defensive end of the floor, the fourth such call drawn by Waubonsee in the first half. Benedictine also struggled from three-point range shooting just 10 percent (2 for 20) from long range. It all added up to a 26-18 lead for the Chiefs at the intermission.
A driving basket by Kriston Dixon six minutes into the second half staked Waubonsee to a 33-26 lead. The Chiefs then began to slowly pull away, scoring the next six points to take a 39-26 lead on a 15-foot jumper by Cory Adams Jr. with 11:30 to go. A minute later Waubonsee switched to a full court press and quickly extended the lead to 47-29 a couple minutes later. A three-pointer by Adams just before the 30-second shot clock expired made it 52-39 with seven minutes to go. The Eagles finally got their deficit down to single digits at 58-50 with a minute left on a free throw by Kyle Hornacek. Free throws by Johnson and Simeon Strauss, along with a put-back basket by Dixon clinched it for the Chiefs. An Eagles' three-pointer in the waning seconds accounted for the final score as the Chiefs won for the seventh time this season.
Toney led Waubonsee's offense with 17 points and seven rebounds. Dixon added a dozen points and seven boards, while Adams chipped in with 10 points. Strauss also booked 10 points and Collman Aaron hauled down eight rebounds. For the game the Chiefs out scored Benedictine 40-22 in the paint to offset a poor shooting performance from beyond the arc. Waubonsee made only one of 13 attempts from long range all game.
The Chiefs are not in action again until Tuesday, December 18 when they host Kishwaukee College. Dave Heiss' squad takes on the Kougars at 7:30 p.m. (CDT) with Jim Williams' women's team set to play prior to that beginning at 5:30 p.m. (CDT). 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.