[singlepic id=3107 w=320 h=240 float=left]The girls basketball team took on the Evanston Township High School Wildkits on Friday, Feb. 3 in a hard-fought, close game, which resulted in a 41-35 Wolves’ win.

Before the tip, seniors from both teams were honored as they prepared for a great game that would go right down to the wire.  The first quarter started slow, but picked up towards the end as senior Jewell Loyd hit a big 3 to give the Wolves the lead.  However, the lead was short lived, as scoring picked up and by the end of the 1st quarter the Wildkits were in the lead 10-8.  Evanston took their momentum into the second quarter, during which they refused to give up the lead.

Despite the Wildkits’ strong play, the Wolves refused to let Evanston out of their sights, not allowing any greater than a five-point lead.  The score at halftime was Niles West 14, Evanston 17.  When play resumed, the Wolves showed their teeth and got down to business.  With only 30 seconds gone into the new half, Loyd emphatically blocked a shot that energized the entire bench and woke the building up.

Less than half a minute later, West took the lead and never looked back.  The Wolves proceeded to go on a 10-0 run and close out the third quarter with a 28-22 lead. During the 4th quarter,  Evanston hung with the Wolves and kept it close, but with time running out the Wildkits were forced to begin intentionally fouling to stop the clock.  This allowed Niles West to build its lead and seal a victory.  The final score was 41-35 Wolves.  Loyd was the high point woman with 17, followed closely by sophomore Dashae Shumate with 13.

Head Coach Tony Konsewicz was impressed with the team’s second half surge, but recognized that there was room for improvement.

“We came out of halftime and scored the next seven points, but afterwards we weren’t taking as good of shots, but nonetheless, it propelled us to the win,” he said.

Nate Schappmann contributed to this story.