Boys Basketball: McAuliffe shows improvement with 15 points in win over Hersey

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Updated: February 22, 2012 12:09PM

Andrew McAuliffe is still getting used to playing again after sitting out for two months, and Glenbrook North is still adjusting to having him back on the court.

The junior, though, showed he might be getting back into the groove as he helped the Spartans pull away for a 55-43 win at Hersey on Tuesday night.

McAuliffe, Glenbrook North’s top scorer and rebounder, fractured his kneecap in early December and said he couldn’t do much before returning last Friday during a 44-20 win at Highland Park.

In Wednesday’s victory, the 6-foot-8 forward was a little more active as he scored eight of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed 11 rebounds.

“I’m just doing my best, taking it slowly,” McAuliffe said. “Everyone keeps telling me it’s not going to come right away. It’s hard because I thought I was playing OK at the beginning of the season and now it’s slow. Hopefully every game I’m getting better and better.”

Trailing 24-18 at halftime, the Spartans (16-5) took command by outscoring the Huskies 20-12 in the third quarter and 17-7 in the final period. Junior guard Kurt Karis had 11 of his team-best 18 points in the third period with eight of those coming via layups.

“My shot wasn’t dropping like it has been, so I needed to attack the rim,” Karis said.

Kevin Kozil scored a team-best 17 points for Hersey (9-12), and Stefan Vucicevic had 12 points and seven rebounds.