St. Edward, Westminster Christian post season-opening wins

ELGIN -- Both St. Edward and Westminster Christian got their seasons off to slow starts Monday night by going too fast.

Eventually both teams found the pace they wanted to play at and came away with victories at the Westminster Christian Tournament.

St. Edward defeated Mooseheart 40-33 behind 14 points by guard Mike Ellis and Westminster handled Elgin Academy 47-31 as 6-8 center Ian Dutcher scored 13 points and hauled in 15 rebounds.

St. Edward came back from a 14-5 deficit after one quarter. The Green Wave committed 16 first-half turnovers.

"Michael (Ellis) started out of control, but things like that happen when you expect a lot from young kids," said St. Edward coach Keith Chuipek. "They're hyped up and they want to run off. Then he got three fouls."

St. Edward gradually regained control of the game and went ahead for good on Paul Bianchi's layup two minutes into the second half, 23-21. In the fourth quarter Ellis took control down the stretch and made a 14-foot jumper from the wing for a 36-31 lead with 2:30 to play. He then hit 6 of 7 free throws to preserve and widen the lead.

"We came out and were nervous," said Ellis. "We lost a lot of seniors and we're struggling to find some leadership. But then we got it together."

Ellis was aided by nine points and 12 rebounds from 6-7 Zach Von Ahnen. He pulled down six rebounds in the fourth quarter and dominated defensively as Mooseheart was forced to the outside.

"I think when he started rebounding, especially in the second quarter (5 rebounds), it started settling the younger kids down," said Chuipek. "And we started to get back in it."

Westminster's big man, Ian Dutcher, was in the flow of the game from the start, both on offense and defense. He blocked three shots and forced Elgin Academy to the outside. Academy hit only 9 of 30 shots (30 percent) over the first three quarters, and gradually fell behind 37-20 heading into the final quarter.

"Ian is one of the best-kept secrets in Illinois," said Westminster coach Bruce Firchau. "But he won't be much longer."

Dutcher made 6 of 10 from the field and teammate Ben Carani scored 10 points and doled out six assists to complement his center's play.

"We don't see many tall kids," said Hilltoppers coach David Vogt. "This is the first look we've had at someone taller than 6-2, so it made a difference when he's got a hand in your face. It's tough to simulate height in practice."

Elgin Academy played a scrappy game, however, with an up-tempo style, despite having only six of its eight players available. 

St. Edward 40, Mooseheart 33

Mooseheart (0-1)

Crump 5 1-5 11, Smith 3 0-0 6, McReynolds 6 1-2 14, Brigman 1 0-2 2, Lech 0 0-2 . Totals 15 2-11 33.

St. Edward (1-0)

Elllis 3 7-8 14, Von Ahnen 4 0-1 9, Byrnes 3 0-0 8, Bianchi 3 0-1 6, Kerger 1 0-0 2, Brewster 0 1-2 . Totals 14 8-12 30.

Mooseheart 14 5 4 10 — 33

St. Edward 5 13 8 14 — 27

3-Point Goals — MH (1): McReynolds. STED (4): Ellis, Byrnes 2, Von Ahnen.