(Sugar Grove, IL) - For the second straight game Waubonsee Community College's men's basketball team eclipsed the 100-point mark. The Chiefs' high-octane, up tempo style of play resulted in a 105-89 victory as they ran away from Concordia University-Chicago's Junior Varsity in the second half. In the process Waubonsee (3-1) ran its winning streak to three games, averaging 99 points per game over those three contests.
Waubonsee likely scored one of the fastest baskets in school history to start the game. The Chiefs' 6'10" center Brice Langford tapped the opening jump ball to Joey Niesman, who streaked in for a lay-up just three seconds into the contest. Waubonsee went ahead 7-3 before the Cougars came back to knot the score at 11-all four minutes into the game. A fast break lay-in by Colton Schutt off of an assist from Anthony Thompson staked the Chiefs to a 27-21 lead as they began to put some space between them and the Cougars midway through the half. A turn around eight-foot jumper by Traevon Brown capped off a 12-0 run by Waubonsee to make it 35-21 with eight minutes left in the half.
The Chiefs maintained that cushion throughout the rest of the opening period by staying active on the boards. Waubonsee owned a 25-18 rebounding advantage by halftime. A three-point play by Thompson gave the Chiefs a 51-36 lead with two minutes to go until the break. The Cougars stayed in the game courtesy of their three-point shooting, making 11 shots from long range in a fast paced half that ended with Waubonsee holding a 55-41 lead.
Concordia got as close as 10 points in the opening minute of the second half, but Waubonsee quickly responded. An offensive rebound and two-hand slam by Langford gave the Chiefs a 62-48 lead three minutes into the second half. A slashing drive and basket by Jaylyn Kelley pushed the lead to 73-52 three minutes later. Midway through the half Marco Wilson scored in traffic, was fouled and then completed the three-point play to extend the lead to 89-61. Waubonsee reached the century mark with 4:40 remaining when Niesman scored on a drive to the basket. The Cougars then closed out the game on an 11-2 run against the Chiefs' reserves.
Wilson, a freshman from Oswego, led a well-balanced Chiefs' attack with 17 points and eight rebounds. Fellow Oswego product Niesman finished with 16 points, six boards and three assists. Schutt paced a trio of players who each booked 13 points, as he also handed out six assists and grabbed five rebounds. Kelley also tallied 13 points, dished out four assists and made three steals, with Brown nearly duplicating those numbers. The sophomore from Aurora West High School had 13 points, four assists and two steals. Langford ended the night with a dozen points and hauled down seven boards, while Thompson contributed 11 points to give Waubonsee seven players in double digits. In addition, Cam Russell registered four assists as the unselfish Chiefs finished with 27 assists as a team. The Cougars (0-2) were led in scoring by Kieran Heller who finished with 25 points, including seven baskets from beyond the arc. Concordia stayed in the game by knocking down 16 three-pointers overall. Waubonsee out rebounded the visitors 53-38, including 19-10 on the offensive end of the floor.
The Chiefs are in action again this coming Thursday, November 18 when they host Aurora University's Junior Varsity. The Chiefs and Spartans are scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) in Sugar Grove. Waubonsee is also set to play at home this coming Saturday, November 20 as they tip-off against the Rockford University Junior Varsity at 2:00 p.m.