THE SKINNY
Isaiah Butler scored 28 points to lead visiting Elgin to a 73-58 victory over Streamwood in its Upstate Eight Conference River Division opener.
TURNING POINT
The Maroons trailed 23-21 early in the second quarter, but outscored the Sabres 21-4 the rest of the first half to take control. Donte Harper tied the game at 23-23 with a jumper. Then back-to-back three-pointers from Butler and Ryan Sitter gave Elgin (3-5, 1-0) the lead for good.
THE STAR
Butler shot 10-of-19 (53 percent) from the field. He scored 17 of his points in the first half. He also drained three three-pointers. Desmond Sanders had a double-double for the Maroons with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jacob Siewert had 14 points to lead Streamwood (1-5, 0-2).
BY THE NUMBERS
Elgin coach Mike Sitter credited assistant Adam Bruhn with helping to implement a zone defense, something rarely used by the Maroons. Elgin switched to the zone early in the second quarter and held the Sabres to just 2-of-15 shooting (13 percent) the rest of the half. The Maroons shot 15-of-28 from the field in the first half.
QUOTABLE
“It doesn’t matter how many points I score. I just want to do whatever it takes to help my team win. Tonight I was able to drive off my dribble and penetrate into the lane.” — Butler
