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PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper men's basketball team nearly let the lead slip away against McHenry County College but two big defensive stands allowed them to hold on for a 61-59 victory on Tuesday night in the Wellness & Sports Center.

The Hawks (2-2) led 27-24 at halftime and took control early in the second half. Dvonta Jones (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West)' layup gave Harper its biggest lead of the contest at 43-32, but the Scots (0-3) kept it close throughout. After a pair of Robert Hudson (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Conant) free throws gave the Hawks a 57-49 cushion with 5:24 remaining, McHenry made a run.

Drew Hardville (game-high 21 points) knocked down a 3-pointer, Billy Cobb (11 points) and Tevin Webb each scored baskets, and Cobb scored again to cut the Harper lead to 60-59 with 1:12 remaining. Hawks forward Admir Suljic (Chicago, Ill. /Lane Tech) split a pair of free throws with 23.9 seconds remaining to make it 61-59. On the Scots' next possession, Harper came up with a big stop to preserve the lead.

After Hudson missed a pair of free throws, McHenry called time out to set up a play to tie or win the game. Coming out of the timeout, the Hawks played smothering defense that forced the Scots to call another timeout with just a second remaining. Webb's desperation heave at the buzzer did not fall, and Harper emerged with the victory.

Hudson led the Hawks with 12 points and nine rebounds. Marcus Gatlin (Chicago, Ill./Curie) contributed 11 points, and Jamal Sherman (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West) had 10 points and eight rebounds. Davion Benton (Chicago, Ill. /Alcott College Prep) nearly had a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Harper takes the court again at Moraine Valley Community College (1-3) at 7:15 PM on Thursday.