For all the criticism of the outgoing double round-robin format in Duneland Athletic Conference basketball, there is at least one redeeming quality to having to play everyone twice.

"A good thing about it is you make adjustments and see what you can do the second time around," Chesterton coach Tom Peller said.

The Trojans started the back half of the DAC slate Friday on the right foot with a 55-46 win over Michigan City, reversing a disappointing loss to the Wolves last month and ending a five-game losing streak in the series.

"We had good balance, again," Peller said. "We've got a lot of weapons and what really helps is they all play defense pretty well, which is important for us. I thought our defense was pretty solid for the most part."

Chesterton (7-4, 5-3) trailed 14-12 after a quarter, then ran off the first 15 points of the second quarter to turn the two-point deficit into a 27-14 lead. Donnie Johnson jump-started the Trojans, scoring eight of his 10 first-half points in the run, including a pair of 3-pointers. Chesterton sustained the 13-point advantage into the third quarfter at 38-25 before eight unanswered points by the Wolves (4-6, 3-5) helped close the spread to four heading to the fourth. M.C. crept within three twice in the fourth. After a Shanquan Hemphill putback made it 45-42 inside the two-minute mark, Chris Palombizio connected on a clutch 3 from the right side. On the next possession, he countered two Wolves free throws with a basket inside.

"I wasn't thinking about the score," Palombizio said. "I just saw an opening and took it. If I'm open, coach lets me shoot. I didn't shoot well, but I made that shot."

"That was an important shot," Peller said. "Chris has earned that (trust). He knows if he's open, he can shoot the ball. He got it and he nailed it."

City, which played without leading scorer Ryan Taylor (back) and point guard Donovan Wilson (Achilles), doomed its chances with turnovers on consecutive possessions with in the final minute and Chesterton hit five of six at the free throw line to secure the outcome.

"We didn't have a lot of ballhandlers to provide stability," Wolves coach John Boyd said. "We had a lot of turnovers and they made baskets off those turnovers. The second quarter wasn't as important as the offensive rebounding. They got several second, third, sometimes even fourth opportunities at the basket. They didn't shoot extremely well, but they got rebounds. The refs allowed them to play aggressive and they were a little more aggressive than we were."

Palomibizio topped the Trojans with 13 points. Johnson was the only other double-figure scorer. Matt Holba notched nine points to go with seven rebounds.

"They made some runs, hit some tough shots, but we got stops when we needed them," Peller said. "The kids understand how to win games. They know what they have to do."

The win was Chesterton's sixth in seven games since a 1-3 start.

"I can't remember the last time we've had four straight wins," Palombizio said. "We're looking for five more."

Michigan City (14-8-15-9)

Lucas Daurer 3-10 4-4 13, ShanQuan Hemphill 3-6 1-2 7, A'Seante Clark 3-9 0-0 9, Lacy Johnson 4-9 1-1 9, Keenan Simmons 4-7 0-0 8, Corey Workman 0-0 0-0 0, Shayne Barron 0-0 0-0 0, JaVarrie Oliver 0-0 0-0 0, Brad Pawlowski 0-1 0-0 0. Totals -- 17-42 6-7 46.

Chesterton (12-17-12-14)

Chris Palombizio 5-13 1-2 13, Cole Teal 3-8 0-0 7, Corey Rusboldt 3-7 0-0 6, Matt Holba 2-4 5-8 9, Brandon Roeske 2-7 0-0 4, Jacob Andert 1-6 3-4 6, Donnie Johnson 3-6 2-2 10, Andrew Ralph 0-0 0-0 0, Jacob Wasielewski 0-0 0-0 0, Avery Beeks 0-0 0-0 0, Tevin Dilosa 0-0 0-0 0. Totals -- 19-51 11-16 55.

3-point field goals: Michigan City 6 (Daurer 3, Clark 3); Chesterton 6 (Palombizio 2, Johnson 2, Andert, Teal). Leaders -- Rebounds: Johnson (MC) 8; Holba (C) 7. Assists: Andert (C) 3. Steals: Simmons (MC) 2; Rusboldt (C) 4. Team fouls: Michigan City 13; Chesterton 7. Fouled out: Hemphill (MC). Records: Michigan City 4-6 (3-5 DAC); Chesterton 7-4 (5-3).

The Chesterton junior varsity boys basketball team improved to 4-7 on the year with a 46-32 win over Michigan City on Friday.

Avery Beeks led the offense with 13 points (3 assists), while Jordan Dilosa added 12 points and a team-high five rebounds.

Niles Dilosa tallied eight points (3 rebounds) with Steffan Dines contributing five points, four rebounds and three assists.

Posted 1/14/2013