M-Basketball: #6 RVC Gets Back on Track with Win Over Joliet Junior College
Box Score As N4C began its second go-around, the Golden Eagles looked to get back on track in their game against Joliet Junior College. They did just that, defending their home court with a 71-66 win over the visiting Wolves. #6 RVC improves to 17-7 (5-3 in N4C), while Joliet falls to 17-7 (3-5 in N4C).
The Golden Eagles started off red hot from the field taking an early 9-0 lead thanks to a barrage of treys from sophomores
Dalton Menke and
Jace Kitchen. Joliet responded quickly to cut the lead to 9-8. The rest of the first half featured a back and forth battle with Joliet taking a 2-point advantage into halftime. After the break, the Golden Eagles were able to buckle down defensively and pull away in the game's final 8 minutes. Despite only shooting 42.1% from the field, #6 RVC managed to torch the nets for 11-23 shooting (47.8%) on the afternoon.
"It does not matter what the records are, or how either team is playing, RVC versus Joliet will always be a knock-em-down, drag-em-out dog fight," stated Head Men's Basketball Coach
Evan Lavery. "Both teams really wanted it, and there were a few stretches both ways of some interesting basketball. Fortunately, our guys buckled down, stayed together, and managed to get the job done. We desperately needed that win."
Alec Pena (Rockton, IL) recorded his first double-double of 2017 with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Winnebago HS graduate
Dalton Menke contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds. Kitchen (12),
DeMari Davis (11), and
Malique Ross (10) rounded out the five Golden Eagles in double figure scoring. Ross also contributed a game-high 9 assists to only 1 turnover.
UP NEXT
RVC will hit the road to take on Harper College on Wednesday, February 1st. Game time is set for 7 PM in Palatine, IL.