Box Score Palatine, Ill- The Harper College men's basketball team wasn't bashful on Tuesday night, and in the end it paid off with an 82-79 victory against visiting College of Lake County (CLC). The win, in which the Hawks attempted 49 three pointers, avenged an overtime loss to CLC (2-11) earlier in the season.

Harper (4-11) had three players score in double-digits on the night. Isaiah Butler (/Elgin) scored 23 points, including six triples (6-20 3PT's), to pace the Hawks. Brent Cooks (/Larkin) got into the act as well hitting four triples (4-13 3PT's) en route to a 20 point performance. Freshman Joey Gatziolis recorded a double-double with 15 (5-12 FG's) points and 13 rebounds.

Tied at 16-16 nine minutes into the first half, the Hawks went on a mini 10-4 run to break open a 26-20 lead with four minutes left in the half. The Hawks would add one more to their lead and head to the locker room up 42-35.

With 10 minutes to go in the game Harper gained a 13 point advantage thanks to hot shooting from Cooks, Butler, and Luke Ledesma (/Wheaton Academy).However, in the next three minutes that hot shooting went ice cold and the Lancers answered with a 9-0 run to cut the score to 68-64 with seven to go.

"We are going to play fast," said Harper head coach Sean Stochl. "This is our system and we are not going to slow down. Credit our guys for playing at our tempo and being ready to shoot the ball."
With 14 seconds to go, the Hawks clinged to a one point lead, but stingy defense on two straight possessions made the difference in the victory.

"It is a good confidence builder heading in to the New Year," Stochl said. "The guys looked more comfortable tonight and that should translate into conference season."

The Hawks will enjoy a two week break before battling Wright College in Palatine on January 4th in Palatine.