The three-point shot was available to Lake Forest all day long.
After scoring just 10 points in the first half and missing numerous opportunities from the outside, Lake Forest (15-10) finally took advantage in the second half and rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat Von Steuben 55-53 in a non-conference game Saturday night.
Chris Hayes hit three consecutive three-pointers in the final minutes to complete the comeback from a 27-10 halftime hole. Hayes, who finished with 16 points and four three-pointers, made his final three-pointer with 2.6 seconds left to win the game for Lake Forest.
“We had looks at open threes off their pressing defense,” Lake Forest coach Bill Donlon said. “We missed these shots in the first half but converted them in the end. As Von Steuben’s defense collapsed in the paint, Hayes was open to do his damage in the fourth quarter.”
Mike Liddy contributed 14 points and Scott Collins added 10 points for Lake Forest.
Luke Rodgers had a game-high 20 points for Von Steuben (17-4), while Darnell Rawls added 11 points and Phillip Watson had 10.
West Aurora 55, Lockport 48: Derik Hollyfield totaled 17 points, five rebounds and seven assists for the No. 2 Blackhawks (19-3). Jamaal Thompson contributed 16 points and Jay Thomas chipped in with 12 for West Aurora. The Blackhawks led just 21-19 at the half but started the second half on a 9-0 run.
“Sometimes when you play after a tough loss like [Friday at Wheaton North], the kids get in the doldrums and it’s hard to get out,” West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman said. “I think the kids were a little down after last night’s loss. In the third quarter, that’s when we started to play with more intensity and put more pressure on the ball.”
Alando Tucker scored 23 points and Kevin Troc added 13 points for Lockport (12-10).
Lyons Township 67, Proviso West 47: Cortez Forta scored 16 points and A.J. Allodi added 12 points as the No. 13 Lions (20-3, 9-2) avenged Friday night’s loss to Hinsdale Central by ripping Proviso West 28-7 in the first quarter of the West Suburban Silver matchup.
“It was important for us to make amends for last night,” Lyons coach Conte Stanas said. “We lost our edge a little. We got slapped in the face last night and it helped.”
David Jones scored nine points to lead the Panthers (9-12, 5-5).
Bloom 50, Rich Central 42: Joe Chapman scored 21 points to lift No. 14 Bloom (19-4) in non-conference play. Dennis Childs scored 14 points to lead Central (9-13).
Evanston 59, Highland Park 50 (OT): Anthony Lenoir scored 14 points as the No. 15 Wildkits (19-4) survived the Central Suburban crossover. Stacey Morange added 12 points for Evanston. Joey Paul’s 14 points led Highland Park (11-9).
Chicago Latin 53, Luther North 43: The Romans (22-2) won the non-conference game behind Tyrell Bell’s 24 points..
Competitive Edge Shootout: Jerry Wilson scored 20 points as Batavia (15-8, 10-2) defeated Geneva 78-70 in a Suburban Prairie Red game played at Northern Illinois University. Anthony Wallace and Travis Meeks added 16 points apiece for Batavia. Jon Shafer had a game-high 25 points for Geneva (19-3, 10-2).
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De La Salle 67, St. Joseph 56: Aaron Wellington scored 21 points to lead three Metors in double figures in the non-conference win.
Deerfield 60, Antioch 51: Mark Morrison had 14 points for Deerfield (12-10). .
Elk Grove 61, Bartlett 60: Eric McDonald hit the game-winner with 10 seconds remaining to finish with 20 points and give Elk Grove (14-10) the edge in a non-conference contest.
Kankakee 71, Lane Tech 48: Mike Terrell, Maurice Terell and Brandon Martin scored 13 points apiece for the Kays (13-8). Curtis Collins had 19 points for Lane (13-14).
Marian Catholic 85, Illiana Christian 50: The Spartans (16-6) coasted as Rick Romeli scored 22 points and Chris Jamerson added 15. Brandon Boomsma scored 15 points to pace Illiana Christian (5-18).
Montini 84, Walther Lutheran 70: Ryan Neill scored 27 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Broncos (20-3). Montini broke the game open by outscoring Walther 25-6 in the third quarter. Bo Flowers and David Vasser each had 17 points for Walther Lutheran (18-5).
Oswego Panther Shootout: Joe Cortez scored 21 points and T.J. Parker chipped in with 18 points as Lisle (22-2) routed Aurora Christian 62-42. Jeremy Henderson led Aurora Christian (6-17) with 12 points. . . . Eric Richmond scored 14 points and Pat Flanagan added 12 as Downers Grove South (11-10) defeated Naperville North 57-48. Zach Jeanes had 15 points to lead Naperville North (8-14). . . . Brett Van Hooser’s 19 points led Aurora Central Catholic past Coal City 56-52.
Peoria Central 64, New Trier 57: Marcellus Sommerville scored 16 points for Central (13-9), while Staunton Peck also scored 16 for the Trevians (16-6).
Warren 55, Hoffman Estates 49: Matt Vandaele scored 14 points and Steve Ckrebo added 13 points and five rebounds to lead the Blue Devils (17-4). Hoffman Estates pulled within 50-49 with 51 seconds left, but Warren scored the last five points of the game. Bob Cosentino had a game-high 17 points for Hoffman (12-8).
York 59, Oak Park 38: Rashad McSwine put in 20 points for the Dukes (12-11, 5-5) in the West Suburban Silver.
Girls basketball
Fenwick 76, Maria 49: The second-ranked Friars rolled behind a 47-19 scoring edge in the first half. Kristin Heidloff led Fenwick (28-2) with 15 points and Erin Lawless chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds. Lydia Rowan led Maria (9-18) with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Fremd 67, Lincoln-Way 37: Maggie Fontana scored 23 points for the No. 6 Vikings and sparked 14-0 and 9-0 runs with six points in each in the non-conference win.
Ali Ridge added 12 points for Fremd (24-3), which outscored the Knights 16-1 in the second quarter. Jenna Rubino led Lincoln-Way (7-18) with 17 points.
Downers Grove South 64, Addison Trail 30: Heather Mansour scored 20 points and Tameka Carter added 14 for Downers South (23-4, 11-1) in the West Suburban Gold.
Dunbar 71, Indianapolis Arsenal Tech 45: Desire Wheeler scored 39 points and dished out 11 assists for the Mighty Women (18-11).
McHenry 60, Crystal Lake South 57: Nicole Marzano scored 21 points and Shelby Horgan added 19 for McHenry (9-17, 5-13) in a Fox Valley game they led wire-to-wire.
Morris 52, Lockport 45: Kate Dibbs scored 24 points and Tia Sportsman tallied 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Redskins (19-5).