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Gustafson, Huskies stick it to York
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Updated: February 18, 2013 5:42PM
ELMHURST — When the game is on the line, Oak Park-River Forest coach Matt Maloney knows who is ready to step up.
Alex Gustafson came up huge in the fourth quarter Friday to help OPRF beat host York 47-41 in Elmhurst.
The 6-foot-4 guard first drained 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to end a 1-for-15 shooting drought by the Huskies, who jumped ahead 40-34 with 2 minutes, 48 seconds remaining. Then, with OPRF clinging to a 43-41 lead, Gustafson (12 points) got his own rebound after missing a pair of free throws and was fouled with :13.8. He sank two free throws to make it 45-41 and then iced the game with two more free throws with 1.9 left.
“(Gustafson) has always been our glue guy,” Maloney said. “He’s the guy you can count on making big plays down the stretch, whether it’s defensively, getting a big board or hitting key threes. He finds a way to make plays. That’s the type of player he is.”
OPRF junior Erik Locke scored a game-high 19 points, while Gustafson added 12. York was led by Charlie Rose (13 points), while Colorado State-bound David Cohn had just eight points.
OPRF (17-8, 8-4) was hoping to win its second consecutive West Suburban Silver championship this season, but will have to settle for a tie for second with the Dukes (19-7, 8-4).
Hinsdale Central (18-5, 11-1) clinched its first WSC Silver title since 2000 with Tuesday’s 54-39 win over York.
“One of our goals was to win back-to-back conference championships, however, we’re playing great basketball at the right time,” Maloney said. “We’re hoping we have a (postseason) run in us.”
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Thursday to read more about the Oak Park-River Forest boys basketball team.
OPRF (17-8, 8-4)
Jakari Cammon 0 3-7, 3, Erick Locke 5 7-9 19, Alex Gustafson 3 4-6 12, Tacourrus Mattox 1 3-3 5, Virgil Allen 1 1-2 4, Thomas Ross 0 0-0 0, Jason Gant 1 2-2 4. Totals 11 20-30
York (19-7, 8-4)
David Cohn 2 4-6 8, Charlie Rose 4 2-2 13, Stanley Roberts 3 0-0 7, Frank Toohey 1 2-2 4, Justin Kurash 1 0-0 2, Chris Klos 1 0-0 2, Jack Heinie 1 0-0 2, Issac McKinley 1 0-0 3. Totals 14 8-10 41.
OPRF 12-11-11-13 — 47
York 10-7-11-13 — 41
3-point goals – OPRF 5 (Gustafson 3, Locke 2), York (Rose 3, Roberts, McKinley). Fouled out — None. Team fouls — OPRF 11, York 22.
