PALATINE, Ill. - Down by as many as 24 points in the second half, the Harper College men's basketball team caught fire on the offensive end and rallied for an 84-79 victory over Oakton Community College (0-8) on Thursday night.
 
The Hawks (4-2) have made a habit of falling behind early and have trailed at halftime in five of their six contests this season and Thursday was no different.  Oakton raced out to a 13-0 lead behind the play of Najee Bailey and Giovanni Bray, who combined for 45 points.  Chris Hicks (Elk Grove Village, Ill., Elk Grove) finally got the Hawks on the board but the Raiders answered right back to lead 15-2 just 6:14 into the game.
 
“We did a poor job of controlling the ball,” said head coach Anthony Amarino.  “They got into the paint whenever they wanted.  I don't think we did a very good job (in the first half), obviously.  It looked like we were stuck in mud.  This has been happening every game so far this season.  It's disappointing.  I don't know what is going to make us come out and start the game better.  We can't continue to keep living on the edge like this.”
 
Leading 45-30 at halftime, Oakton started the second half on a 12-3 run to increase their advantage to 57-33.  But as they have all season, Harper showed resiliency and worked their way back into the game.  Horace Grant (Deerfield, Ill., Deerfield) started the run with a 3-pointer and three baskets by Hicks sandwiched around a Connor Miklasz (Mt. Prospect, Ill., Hersey) bucket cut the lead to 16.  Simeon Handy (Chicago, Ill., Farragut Academy) scored on Harper's next possession and after Hicks scored again, the Hawks trailed 58-46 with 13:19 left in the game.
 
Kyler Market (Lombard, Ill., Willowbrook) got into the action with a basket in close before John Lorenz (Elk Grove Village, Ill., Elk Grove) nailed back to back 3-pointers to pull Harper within 60-56 with 9:23 remaining.  After the teams traded scores, the Hawks still trailed 72-68 with just 4:53 left.  Hicks scored off a feed from Lorenz and then Lorenz tied the game at the 4:12 mark.  Two free throws from Brian Battaglia (Elk Grove, Ill., Elk Grove) gave Harper their first lead and Market capped off the game-changing 8-0 run with a rebound and bucket, plus a foul.
 
After the Raiders drew within two, Hicks capped off a memorable second half with two free throws and an elbow jumper.  The second-year player scored 16 of his team-high 24 points in the second half, but it was a play on the defensive end that sealed the win.  With the outcome still in doubt with under a minute to play, Bray drove to the hoop and converted but the basket was waived off as Hicks slid over to take the charge which gave possession, and the game, back to Harper.
 
“It was a great comeback,” Amarino said.  “The kids fought hard and never quit.  They showed a lot of character and poise to come back.  I'm really proud of them.  But I think you have to learn as to why you got into a hole like this.  It should have been a better game in the first half.  But like I said, they did a really good job, and it was a good win.  It's something that you have to learn from.”
 
Miklasz scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half while Market had 13 and Lorenz had 12 in his first start of the season.  Grant and Battaglia each added eight points.
 
Harper has the weekend off before returning to action on Tuesday in Cicero, Ill. to take on Morton College (3-3).  Tipoff is slated for 7:00 PM.