Cary-Grove gets big win over Hersey

Cary-Grove was looking for a signature win and they got one the hard way.

The Trojans surrendered a 10-point fourth quarter lead but made 7 of 8 from he line in the last 2:12 to edge Hersey 57-52 Saturday in Cary.

Down 46-36 after three quarters, the No. 15 Huskies (18-5) rallied and got within 50-49 after a three-pointer by Megan Rogowski (19 points, nine rebounds) and a Jen

Hall layup off a pass from Rogowski. Stefanie Mueller made 1 of 2 from the line to tie the game at 50 with 2:25 to play.

Then, the No. 19 Trojans (19-3) had Northern Illinois-bound Claire Jakubicek and (25 points) senior guard Megan Straumann (18) keep Hersey behind with free throws.

"We beat a state-ranked team and I am so proud of everyone," Jakubicek said. "I thought that [sophomore] Joslyn [Nicholson] had the game of her life with all of her [eight] rebounds. People underestimate us because we play in the Fox Valley, but we can play with state-ranked teams."

"This game makes a statement," Straumann said. "I think as a team that we played together."

DePaul-bound Rogowski, played with a heavily bandaged left hand after breaking her pinkie. Eileen Zydeck and Maggie Hogen both scored 11 for Hersey.

"You can never relax with a Rogowski on the floor," Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert said. "I thought it was a success to hold her to 19 and the reason was Paige [Lincicum]."

Jakubicek's sophomore sister Olivia was sidelines with a left ankle injury, but she hopes to return for the Trojans' game against McHenry in a week.

Hersey jumped ahead 14-9 after one quarter before Cary-Grove stormed back. The Trojans opened the second quarter with an 11-0 burst as Claire Jakubicek scored six and capped the run with a steal and layup. With 5:44 to play in the half, Hersey's Mueller picked up her third foul and spent the rest of the half on the bench.

The Trojans kept going as Straumann scored six of her 10 first-half points in the second quarter to help Cary-Grove to a 32-21 halftime lead.

"We have five losses and four were on Saturdays," Hersey coach Mary Fendley said. "We'll learn from this that we can't rely on fourth-quarter rallies."

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.