An uninspired first half led to an inspired halftime speech.

Whatever happened inside that locker room worked as the Chesterton boys basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 70-55 Duneland Athletic Conference victory over LaPorte Friday night.

“We played a little uninspired in the first half,” Chesterton coach Tom Peller said. “It wasn’t a very happy halftime that’s for sure. Every night we get the best from the other team. People know they have to play to beat us and we don’t always match that intensity.

“We’re starting getting it and after three losses, we really needed a win.”

The Trojans hit four first half 3-pointers to build an early 20-12 lead, but the Slicers answered with an 11-2 run that pushed them to a 23-22 lead.

Donnie Johnson and Corey Rusboldt ended the first half with back-to-back baskets and Chesterton had a 29-27 lead at the break.

“We got 11 big points from Jacob (Andert) in the first half to keep us in it,” Peller said. “In the second half we started playing harder defensively and got out in the passing lanes. We created some turnovers and got some easy baskets.”

The Trojans led 49-46 before putting together a 13-4 run that pushed the lead to 62-50 and they never looked back. Matt Holba scored six points during the run including a rim-rattling dunk off a pass from Cole Teal.

“Individually we’re as good as anyone,” Peller said. “Sometimes we don’t play as a better team and that’s the lesson that I think we’re learning. The team is the most important thing right now.”

Chris Palombizio led the Chesterton offense with 17 points, including four 3-pointers, while Andert added 16 and Rusboldt had 12. Holba and Johnson each scored nine points in the win.

“When we have offensive balance like that we’re tough to guard,” Peller said.

The Trojans end the regular season with road games this week at Boone Grove and Crown Point before opening Sectional play against the Slicers a week from Tuesday at Michigan City.

“We drew them in the Sectional,” Peller said of another match-up with LaPorte. “The second season is coming up and we need to finish strong and that energy has to be there every night and on every possession.”

LaPorte (12-15-14-14)

Mitch Mrozinski 0 0-0 0, Josh Fleming 6 4-4 16, Arthur Vaughn 0 1-2 1, Zach Kiger 5 0-2 10, Gage Ott 6 7-11 19, Jacob Jones 3 0-0 9. Totals – 20 12-18 55.

Chesterton (17-12-20-21)

Matt Holba 4 1-2 9, Chris Palombizio 5 3-4 17, Cole Teal 2 0-0 4, Mike Thanos 1 0-0 3, Corey Rusboldt 4 3-4 12, Jacob Andert 5 5-6 16, Donnie Johnson 4 0-1 9. Totals – 25 12-17 70.

3-point field goals: LaPorte (Jones 3), Chesterton (Palombizio 4, Thanos, Rusboldt, Andert, Johnson). Leaders – Rebounds: LaPorte (Kiger 7, Ott 7), Chesterton (Rusboldt 8). Assists: LaPorte (Mrozinski 3, Kiger 3), Chesterton (Holba 4). Total fouls – LaPorte 17, Chesterton 20. Fouled out: Palombizio.

Records: LaPorte 5-14 (3-10 DAC), Chesterton 10-8 (7-6).

The Chesterton junior varsity boys basketball team dropped a tough 49-44 double overtime decision to LaPorte on Friday night.

Steffan Dines led the Trojan offense with 16 points (5 rebounds), while Jordan Dilosa added 10 points (5 rebounds).

Niles Dilosa scored six points with Avery Beeks tallying five points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists.

The Trojans are now 7-11 on the year.

Posted 2/18/2013