(Sugar Grove, IL) - Sparked by a suffocating defense, Waubonsee Community College's men's basketball team got in the win column with a lopsided 91-60 victory over the College of DuPage on Tuesday evening. The Chiefs (1-1) recorded 14 steals and forced the Chaparrals into 21 turnovers, scoring 24 points off of turnovers alone. Waubonsee also limited DuPage to just 36 percent (23 of 63) shooting from the floor and 0 for 13 from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Chiefs shot 48 percent (34 of 70) from the field, including making eight shots from beyond the arc, and tallied 20 assists as a team. The Chiefs bounced back after losing their season opener on Saturday afternoon 85-66 to Rock Valley College, ranked 17th nationally in the NJCAA's Division III Pre-Season poll. Waubonsee struggled mightily on offense in the loss to the Golden Eagles, shooting just 7 percent (2 of 27) from three-point range in the game.
Against the Chaparrals, a defensive battle commenced from the opening tipoff with both teams in a tight man-to-man defense. A pull-up jumper in traffic and a fast break lay-in by Traevon Brown with an outstanding assists from Joey Niesman, put the Chiefs in front 12-4 five minutes into the game. An offensive rebound and put-back by 6'10" center Brice Langford extended Waubonsee's lead to 19-7 eight minutes into the game. Five minutes later a steal and one-handed breakaway dunk by Cam Russell pushed the Chiefs' lead to 31-14 and electrified the crowd in Erickson Hall. It also seemed to energize the Chiefs as Waubonsee went on a 15-2 run over the next three minutes to surge ahead 44-16. The half ended with the home team comfortably in front 48-19.
In the second half the Chiefs gradually increased their lead, pulling ahead 58-23 on a two-handed slam by Langford. Waubonsee equaled its game one point total of 66 with 11:22 still remaining in this contest. Not long afterwards Jordan Jenkins and Brown each nailed three-pointers to make it 74-35 as coach Lance Robinson emptied his bench. All 16 Chiefs' players in uniform saw action with Cooper Larsen leading the way. The freshman forward from Indian Creek High School finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Brown ended the night with 14 points, six boards, three assists and two steals. Russell added a dozen points, Anthony Thompson chipped in with 11 points, and Niesman and Jenkins each were credited with three assists. Drew Gaston paced the Chaparrals (1-2) with 16 points and six rebounds.
Waubonsee is in action again this coming Saturday, November 13 when they host Wilbur Wright College from Chicago. The Chiefs and Rams are scheduled to tip-off at 2:00 p.m. (CDT) in Sugar Grove.