Melanie Ploger and Paige Homeyer each sank three-point baskets early to get things started for Hinsdale Central on Wednesday.
Mother McAuley, on the other hand, “couldn’t hit the ocean from a boat,” said Mighty Macs coach Rick Mundo.
Fifth-ranked McAuley made just two field goals in the first quarter as No. 2 Hinsdale Central (22-0) built a 10-point lead en route to a 57-47 non-conference victory in Hinsdale.
“I had an inkling that on the road against an undefeated team we might come out sluggish, and we did,” Mundo said. “We weathered it well, but we had dug ourselves a pretty good hole.”
Hinsdale Central’s stifling defense gave up four field goals in the first half. The Red Devils led 23-14 at the half.
More Top Picks Best Migraine Glasses For Computer Use
“We talked about making sure we came out with intense defense,” Hinsdale Central coach Steve Gross said. “When they missed, we didn’t give them a second chance.”
McAuley (18-2) appeared to be gaining momentum late in the third quarter and trailed by seven with a minute left in the quarter, but Ploger buried the Mighty Macs’ hopes with back-to-back three-pointers.
Her second three-pointer came at the buzzer, with her teammates and coach screaming at her to shoot the ball.
“That wasn’t good,” Ploger said. “I’m a point guard and I didn’t know how much time was left. I looked at the clock and chucked it up there.”
She banked a 30-footer.
“Melanie didn’t take bad shots tonight,” Gross said.
Ploger hit her fourth three-pointer of the game to open the fourth quarter and led all scorers with 18 points.
“The last three-pointer came off a screen,” Gross said. “We’ve been working on that in practice.”
Maggie Acuna, who had five steals, added 17 points and Morgan Kasperek scored 12 for Hinsdale. Acuna sank eight straight free throws in the last 2 minutes 31 seconds, and her team went 11-of-14 from the line to keep a comfortable lead in the closing minutes.
“The beauty of it is, can they play better?” Gross said. “They think they can.”
Bridget Boyce led McAuley with 17 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter as she tried to rally the Mighty Macs. Her effort gave way to a cramp in her left leg, and she left the game with just under a minute left.
Marlen Garcia.
St. Ignatius 66, St. Benedict 46: The No. 16 Wolfpack (15-9) breezed in a GCAC crossover game behind Katie Frett’s 15 points and Erin McGovern’s 12.
Ida Crown 69, Madonna 30: Shira Biber scored 25 points to go with Dana Fine’s 14 in Ida Crown’s (14-4) season finale.
Kennedy 54, King 32: The Crusaders (7-4, 4-6) cruised in the Public Central behind Elizabeth Tokarz’s 31 points.
Mather 60, Lincoln Park 28: The Rangers (11-11, 7-3) rolled in the Public North behind Leslie Darcy’s 27 points.
Northside Prep 79, Lake View 51: Siobhan Pangerl scored 20 points to go with Sarah Sturch’s 15 and Natalie Pedroza’s 12 to lead Northside (16-1, 10-0) in the Public North.
Roosevelt 53, Amundsen 41: Juanita Pruitt netted 34 points and She-ra Newell had 12 for Roosevelt (10-5, 7-3) in the Public North.
Steinmetz 62, Foreman 50: Rachel Perez poured in 52 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to give Steinmetz the edge in the Public North.
Sullivan 67, Taft 50: Helen Ogunjimi’s 24 points and 15 rebounds sparked the Tigers (16-8, 9-1) in the Public North.
Thornridge 48, Seton 47: Thornridge battled back from a 26-19 halftime deficit to edge Seton in non-conference action. Deloris Brown paced the Falcons with 17 and Zakashia Harvey added 11. Seton was led by Jen Hoffman’s 17.
More Top Picks What Age Can A Child Be Screened For Irlen Syndrome