Stingy Defense Leads Lake Forest to Victory over Chicago
Forty-three points is the fewest the team has allowed in nearly four years 
  

Brad Wehner's nine rebounds are a new career high.

Although he came up three rebounds short of his third consecutive double-double, senior Eric McDonald (Elk Grove, IL/Elk Grove) led the Foresters with 15 points. Junior Greg Klos (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) knocked down three three-pointers and four clutch free throws down the stretch during a 13-point performance. Sophomore Brad Wehner (Sheboygan, WI/Sheboygan North) and junior Franklyn Beckford (Jacksonville, IL/Jacksonville) each scored eight points and pulled down nine and seven rebounds, respectively.

Lake Forest shot 44% from the field while holding Chicago to just 29.6%. Each team made less than half of its free throws. The Foresters out-rebounded the Maroons 43-30 but, with a dozen, committed four more turnovers than the visitors.

A 15-2 Chicago run early in the game gave the Maroons a 15-3 lead after six minutes of play. The advantage was 11 points (17-6) after nine minutes and nine (20-11) with 7:45 left in the opening period. At that point the Foresters began a 12-2 run to close out the half and take a 23-22 lead.

Chicago regained the lead (26-25) three minutes into the second half but, after more than two minutes of scoreless basketball, a 15-1 Lake Forest run gave the home team a 40-27 lead with 9:40 remaining in the contest. The Maroons cut the lead to five points (46-41) with 4:20 left to play but could get no closer. Klos made all four of his free throw attempts in the final minute to help preserve the victory.

Lake Forest, along with Concordia University (WI), Eureka College, and host Webster University, will compete in the Midwest Challenge this weekend (November 27-28). The Foresters will face Webster in the semifinals Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon’s consolation game is at 1:00 and the championship is scheduled for 3:00.