MAPLE PARK – The intensity of the last seconds of the Kaneland boys basketball home opener Friday night against Northern Illinois Big 12 East rival Morris more than made up for the staid pace of the first 31-plus minutes.

Down 31-30 with 17.7 seconds to go in the game, the Knights inbounded the ball after a timeout. With the clocking winding down, John Pruett got the ball and launched a three-pointer from the left corner. The trey attempt bounced off the rim but was quickly rebounded by teammate Tyler Carlson who was underneath the basket. Carlson sank the put back as time expired giving his team a 32-31 victory, its first of the season.

“Ty just happened to crash and get the ball and barely got it off,” said Kaneland coach Brian Johnson. “We were very fortunate to come away with the win.”