The Eagles played their final regular season game Tuesday night against archrival Grant. In the first meeting, the Eagles beat the Bulldogs 57-52 in overtime.
This time around, the stakes were higher. The Eagles were trying to clinch their first conference title, and their first 20-win season in ten years.
The Eagles started cold as the young Bulldogs, led by junior Ayden Sheppard, led 19-10 after one quarter. Then junior James Kania led the Eagles to a second quarter surge, and the Eagles trailed by 4 at halftime.
Down 2 towards the end of the third quarter, Eagles senior guard Tyler Anderson drained a three to put the Eagles up just before the third quarter buzzer. He also added an insurance three, and 6-6 senior Brock Marino added a bucket within the first minute of the fourth quarter.
The Eagles would not trail again in the game.
With the Eagles up 2 in the final seconds, Bulldogs junior Pryde Mendoza (9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) had a chance to win it with a three, but missed.
With the win, the Eagles share the NLCC title with Grayslake Central, winning their first conference title, and clinch their 20-win season.
Tyler Anderson and James Kania led the way each scoring 13 points. Anderson was 3/5 from three, and had 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. Kania had 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Brock Marino had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Ayden Sheppard led the Bulldogs with 17 points, including a hot first quarter in which he had 8.
The Eagles (20-7, 12-2 NLCC) play Vernon Hills in the Regional Semifinal at home Wednesday night at 7:30.
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