By Drkae Skleba
For the Bugle
www.buglenewspapers.com
With 2 minutes, 33 seconds remaining in Maine East’s, February 6 nonconference battle with Wheeling, the host Blue Demons led 45-42.
Ali Sabet tallied a team-high 13 points in Maine East’s loss to Wheeling. (Photo by Matt Evans/for the bugle)
Blue Demon senior Ali Sabet (13 points) and junior Yash Singapori had converted on four consecutive free throws to give the Demons the lead.
With 2 minutes remaining, Wheeling senior Mike Best converted a pair of free throws to pull the Wildcats within 45-44.
With 1:12 remaining the Blue Demons (8-17) turned the ball over and Wheeling’s Joe Jordan (eight points) and then Best put Wheeling up 48-45, with 36 seconds left.
The final 36 seconds of the game, would include three missed 1-and-1’s, by Wheeling.
Sadly the Blue Demon, would close only to 48-46 with five seconds to play.
Best, who paced all scorers with 27 points converted four charity tosses, two the benefit of a technical foul called on the host Blue Demons.
Wheeling (8-15) would take home the road victory, 52-46.
Sabet scored six first quarter points as the two squads battled to a 12-12 tie after one quarter.
Singapori, who would lead the Blue Demons with 14 points, scored six points in the final three minutes of the half.
Singapori’s effort ignited a 10-2 Blue Demon run to take a 28-21 lead into the halftime locker room.
Sabet’s, old-fashioned three-point-play gave Maine East a 33-27 lead,with 4 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Up next for the Blue Demons is a Friday night trip to Deerfield to take on the Warriors, in a Central Suburban North battle at 7:30.