Boys Basketball: Homewood-Flossmoor denies Joliet West

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:23AM

Homewood-Flossmoor needed every bit of a big lead Tuesday night in its 52-48 SouthWest Suburban Blue win at Joliet West.

“We knew they’d play really hard on their home floor,” H-F coach Jim McLaughlin said with a nod toward the Tigers. “We came out with the first blow and played with a lot of energy. This was a great win, but it was even better because we took what we did in practice and brought it into the game.”

The Vikings (15-5, 8-0) built a 14-point first-half lead, but needed another big stretch in the third period after West rallied to go ahead. The Vikings then denied the Tigers (13-6, 6-2) a chance at a late tie and took a two-game conference lead after a season sweep.

“H-F took two punches and responded both times,” West coach Luke Yaklich said. “That’s a credit to coach Mac and his kids for being able to do that on the road.”

The Tigers had seven first-period turnovers, including miscues on three consecutive possessions, and allowed three rebound baskets. Tim Williams (15 points) had two of those during an eight-point, five-rebound opening period.

The Tigers did make a game out of it after the Vikings pulled out to a 29-15 lead with 2:02 left in the first half. West closed the half with nine consecutive points, the last six by Morris Dunnigan (20 points).

H-F withstood the rally, which reached 17-2 and saw West take a 32-31 lead.

Maurius Hill (12 points, 8 rebounds) scored six points in the last five minutes of the third period, which ended with the Vikings up 44-39.