Hawks Top Wright 74-62

PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College men's basketball team avenged a previous loss to Wilbur Wright College with a 74-62 home victory on Saturday afternoon.

Kevin Walsh (/St. Viator) led the Hawks (15-10, 7-3 N4C) with a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. Luis Gallego scored a team-high 17 points for the Rams (3-19, 1-9 N4C).

Walsh scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win over Wright. (Jim Cummins)

Strong shooting from Walsh and Kevin Sexton (/Prospect) (13 points) allowed the Hawks to lead throughout much of the first half. The last of Sexton's three first half 3-pointers gave the Hawks a 32-24 edge with 4:35 to play in the half. The Rams cut the lead to two, but Walsh's late baskets gave Harper a 39-34 lead at halftime.

Wright tied the game early in the second half but never led. Harper went on a 20-5 run over the next 10 minutes to open up a 59-44 lead. Wright cut the lead to single digits, but center Will Botefuhr (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect) (12 points) scored two big baskets down the stretch to put the game out of reach. 

Eric Porter (Arlington Heights, Ill./Lake Zurich) provided a big lift off the bench for the Hawks with six points, seven rebounds and four assists.

The Hawks play their final home regular season game of the year against DuPage (9-16, 3-6 N4C) on Wednesday night.