For the first time since November, the Wolves have lost consecutive games.
After falling to Madison College in overtime on Tuesday, the Joliet Junior College men's basketball team was looking for a bounce back win. And early on it looked as if they'd get it Thursday, but the Wolves let the lead slip away as Rock Valley came back to win, 67-65.
With 2:45 left in the game, the Golden Eagles made it an even ballgame. Then with 55 seconds left, the Wolves (17-8) gave up a lead that they had held all game. Rock Valley pulled ahead to 67-62 and
Romello Ali hit a three at the buzzer to bring the final closer.
"Turnovers hurt us," said Wolves coach Danny Turner. "Turnovers were very key, especially down the stretch. We kind of lost some rhythm there and couldn't function. Some possessions we got good looks right at the basket, they looked like fouls to me, but the referees let us play tonight. Very physical game."
The Wolves committed 12 turnovers to the Golden Eagles' nine.
Jeffrey Fleming led all scorers on the night with 23 points, adding 10 rebounds, two assists and a block to his stat line. Ali was the only other scorer for the Wolves to score double-digits, bolstered by his last second 3-pointer, as he finished with 10.Â
Midway through the first half, the Wolves led by as much as 14 points but let the lead slip for a 35-33 advantage at the break.
The Wolves shot 42% from the field, going 3-of-12 from beyond the arc. They finished 8-of-11 at the foul line.
The last home game for the Wolves will be Saturday when they host South Suburban at 3 p.m. Turner and the Wolves will honor their sophomore student-athletes before the game.
Â
