ELGIN -- Overcoming woeful shooting from the field and the charity stripe, the Elgin Community College women's basketball team clawed its way to a 48-41 victory over visiting College of DuPage on Thursday night.
The Spartans held a comfortable 26-13 advantage at halftime, but opened the third quarter by missing 14 of their first 15 shots. ECC (2-0) finished the night 20 for 64 from the field.
The result was a far cry from the team's 74-42 win over Triton College on Tuesday. The offensive funk took ECC coach Jerry McLaughlin by surprise.
"We didn't make shots," said McLaughlin. "We held them off, which I was happy with. They only had 13 points at halftime, but you can't shoot 20 for 64 and blow anybody away."
Sophie Sterricker led ECC with 16 points. Brittany Armato added 12.
Also a troubling stat from the win was ECC's inability to sink free throws down the stretch.
The Spartans missed three one-and-one attempts in the closing minutes, a weakness that could cost them the game against better opponents.
"Our top two guards got fouled down the stretch," said McLaughlin. "If we make a couple of those, we could end up winning by 13 or 14."
Ultimately, the win showcased the areas that the Spartans will need to improve in this season.
"It's a learning experience," said McLaughlin. "It's only going to get tougher for us here and this is pretty eye-opening for us. We're too good of a team to shoot that poorly."
Lauren Gabler chipped in with 11 points for the Spartans.
ECC will host Wright College on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Viterbo University 66, Judson 50 -- The Eagles (0-1) looked to be off to a good start in its season opener, jumping out to a nine-point advantage in the first five minutes.
It was all downhill from there, however, as Viterbo rattled off a 20-5 run in the next eight minutes to take a 22-16 lead late in the first half.
Alicia Rovertoni did all she could to keep the Eagles in the game, notching her 21st career double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Kristi Siemers (12 points) and ShaRonda Huff (10 points) also aided Judson's offense.
Judson will travel to take on Eureka College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
College of DuPage 64, ECC 49 -- For the second game in row, the Spartans struggled shooting the ball, going 19 for 51 (37 percent).
"At this point, it's really starting to become a mental thing for our guys," said ECC coach Reed Nosbisch. "They're getting open looks, that's the thing. It looks like our guys are pressing a little bit and we just have to get their confidence back up."
Johnny Paden poured in 20 to lead the Spartans. Aaron Reams (13 points) and Martell Hutchinson (8 points) also scored for ECC (0-2).
The Spartans will have time to work out the kinks of their slow start, as they will be off until Wednesday when they host Harper College.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
ECC prepares for familiar foe -- The Spartans (10-4-2), hot off a first-place finish in the Region IV Tournament in which they outscored their opponents 8-2 over three games, will host Schoolcraft College in the District D Tournament on Saturday at noon.
Should it emerge victorious, ECC will advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament in Tyler, Texas.
Schoolcraft defeated ECC 3-0 on Sept. 26, which was the last time the Spartans lost a match. Schoolcraft is currently ranked ninth in the NJCAA poll.