When his team took a 14-point lead at the half Thursday against Joliet, Lincoln-Way coach Don Hayes was nervous.
“They’re dangerous when they’re behind,” Hayes said of Joliet. “I’ve seen it before. They’re like a wounded tiger. In some ways, you would almost want to be tied or down by two at the half, because they’re relentless.”
Joliet’s persistence in the second half paid off as the Steelwomen (12-8, 4-2) defeated visiting Lincoln-Way 58-52.
“I told the girls we didn’t need to get it all back at once, but I felt it was important to get at least half of it back (in the third quarter),” Joliet coach Jerry Edwards said. “Once we started cutting their lead, we kept the pressure on them and eventually wore them down.”
Joliet trailed 44-37 to start the fourth quarter and then outscored Lincoln-Way 21-8 in the final period to avenge a December loss to their SICA West rival.
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Brandi Teamer collected 18 points and eight rebounds, Tiffany Cornelius had 15 points and 14 rebounds and Lori Shelby added 12 points and nine assists for Joliet. Lincoln-Way (12-8, 4-2) was led by Nicci Piech’s 18 points.
Fenwick 42, Marian Catholic 39: No. 7 Fenwick (19-2, 6-0) led 35-23 after three quarters and held off Marian’s late charge for the East Suburban Catholic victory. Eloise Kucia scored 14 for the Friars; Jill Harrigan had 16 for Marian (9-12, 1-5).
West Aurora 59, Wheaton Central 45: Jackie Shook scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Cindy McGinnis added 15 points and six assists for No. 8 West Aurora (18-3, 8-0) in the Upstate Eight.
Benet 66, Downers Grove North 22: No. 13 Benet (17-4) cruised behind Natalie Desmartez’s 14 points.
Wheaton-Warrenville South 64, Naperville North 30: The 16th-ranked Tigers (18-3, 5-2) led 28-11 at the half in the DuPage Valley game. Charliss Ridley scored 17 points, Kristin Miller had 15 and Ali Klaas added 10 points, six assists and four steals for Wheaton South. Shannon Sweeney scored nine points for Naperville North (6-16, 3-5).
“Our focus tonight was defense and intensity,” Wheaton South coach Jim Allured said. “We tried to shut down (Sweeney) and do a nice job on everyone else.”
Waubonsie Valley 83, Larkin 16: No. 19 Waubonsie (17-4, 8-0) drubbed Larkin (10-9, 4-5) with Ashley Luke’s 29 points. Luke connected on eight three-pointers.
Chicago Latin 51, Woodlands 46: Tia Jackson’s 21 points and 22 rebounds gave Latin (15-1, 10-0) the Independent School League victory. Woodlands is 11-6, 9-3.
Curie 65, Bogan 52: Salena Patitucci’s 23 points paced Curie (13-7, 7-2) in the Public Red Central.
East Aurora 51, Streamwood 42: East Aurora, improving to 2-7 in the Upstate Eight, was led by Nakisha Shaw’s 25 points and 16 rebounds and Teresa Reynolds’ 23 points and nine rebounds. Rita Castans scored 19 and Joann Richardson 11 for Streamwood (11-8, 1-5).
Elgin 45, St. Charles 37: Ramona Aguado had 18 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, as Elgin (9-11, 7-2) prevailed in the Upstate Eight. Jenny Cleek added 11 points for the Maroons, who scored six straight points at the start of the fourth quarter to pull away.
Hinckley-Big Rock 54, Aurora Christian 31: Amy Watgen and Heather Dean (11 rebounds) scored 12 points each for Hinckley-Big Rock. Sarah Hunt added 10 points, 12 rebounds, eight steals and five assists for the Royals (15-2).
Lake Park 50, DeKalb 43: Lake Park (9-13, 4-5) was victorious in the Upstate Eight behind Liz Yerly’s 15 points.
Naperville Central 40, Glenbard North 36: Naperville (12-9, 7-1) led by 19 points in the third quarter before Glenbard North (9-13, 1-7) rallied late in the game. Corey Bitzer scored 10 for Redhawks; Carrie Paine had 15 points for Glenbard North (9-13, 1-7).
Reavis 50, Oak Lawn 40: Katie Crumpley’s 22 points paced Reavis (9-11, 2-4) in the SICA North.
Richards 45, Bolingbrook 32: Lynn Novosel tallied 13 points for Richards (11-4, 5-1) in the SICA North.
Rich South 54, Crete-Monee 36: Rich South (15-5, 6-0) cruised in the SICA South as Shavon Alexander and Nadia Harris scored 12 apiece. Marcie Myers scored 15 in defeat.
Roosevelt 68, Steinmetz 56: Lashawn Taylor had 23 points and Kristy Schneider added 20 for Roosevelt in the Public Red North.
St. Ignatius 74, Immaculate Heart of Mary 29: Theresa Violante had 16 points in the romp by St. Ignatius (11-11).
Taft 52, Sullivan 36: Latasha White scored 18 points and grabbed 22 rebounds and Jessica Blitch added 15 points to lead Taft (14-5, 7-1) in the Public Red North.
Thornton Fractional South 57, Tinley Park 39: Jennifer Batie collected 27 points and seven rebounds to lead T.F. South.
Trinity 66, Mother Guerin 48: Margaret Spencer’s 22 points sparked Trinity (12-10, 5-2) in the GCAC White.
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Von Steuben 46, Lincoln Park 28: Carrie Porter (15 points) and Stacey Johnson (13) led Von Steuben in the Public Red North.
Wauconda 33, Antioch 32: Kris Schulze scored the game’s last five points to lift Wauconda (14-4). Kelly Sena scored 13 for the victors.