Boys Basketball: Conant holds off Barrington for win

Updated: December 8, 2011 10:12PM

Barrington point guard Brad Zaumseil’s career-best 22 point night Thursday -- including 11 in the fourth quarter -- wasn’t enough for the Broncos to erase a double digit halftime deficit at MSL West foe Conant.

Zaumseil closed out the final quarter with two three-pointers and an acrobatic three-point play in the paint to cut the Cougars lead to seven with two minutes to play, but that was as close as the Broncos would get.

Led by junior guard Tim Manczko’s 13 points and senior forward Sean Bourke’s 11, Conant improved to 2-0 in MSL play with the 53-44 home victory. Barrington dropped to 1-1 in the MSL and 5-3 overall.

“I just didn’t think we came out ready to play in the first half,” said Zaumseil, referencing the 26-15 halftime score. “We played better in the second half but we dug too big of a hole in the first half.”

Conant came out hot, scoring the first five points Thursday. The Cougars then put the clamps on Barrington’s transition game, holding the Broncos to seven points in the first quarter and eight in the second.

“We focused on getting back on defense,” Bourke said. “(Zaumseil) pushes the ball really well, so we needed to get back.”

Broncos forward Mark Bennett contributed 14 points, but the remainder of Barrington’s squad could only muster eight additional points.

“I think we got some good looks early, but our shots just didn’t go in,” Barrington coach Bryan Tucker said. “They made us work for everything. We weren’t able to make an easy pass and get a good look. And when we did, our shots didn’t go down and it kind of snowballed on us.”

When Barrington made a charge, including a nine point scoring barrage from Bennett early in the third quarter, Conant answered with momentum-killing baskets.

“Right when we thought we cut it close and get it to even, they answered,” Tucker said. “At critical times we lost a couple of their good shooters.”

Eight Cougars made it on the Conant score sheet, which included 13 made three throws in the fourth quarter.

Barrington outscored Conant 29-27 in the second half.

“We have to start putting four quarters together if we want to compete,” Tucker said.

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