Springfield, Ill. - The Illinois Central College men's basketball program (7-10, 0-2) made the trip down to the state capital on Saturday afternoon, looking to battle with Lincoln Land (6-10, 1-1). It's been a series in which the previous three meetings had all been decided by a single digit margin, including the previous two by one possession. So it's perhaps to nobody's surprise when once again, the Cougars and Loggers battled fiercely to a one-possession final score, with the Loggers winning, 69-68.

ICC would have the ball with 41 seconds remaining, trailing by one point. The Cougars missed their first attempt at a go-ahead bucket, and now needed to foul. Rightfully so, ICC was able to send to the line an individual that had missed their four free throws prior. This time, however, both free throws were made. That extended the Logger lead to three, so the Cougars would need a trey to at least force overtime. They had one more look at a shot from behind the arc, it did not fall either, and a rebound putback was made by Joshua Shannon with mere seconds left, but that would have ICC down one and set the aforementioned final score. 

It was a game that was close all throughout. The Loggers outscored the Cougars in the first half, 35-32, but ICC returned the favor in the second half by a 36-34 margin. Notably, the Loggers bested the Cougars in points in the paint, 40-26. 

Another close battle in this matchup bred six separate ties and eight separate lead changes over the course of the 40 minutes.

While the Cougars suffer their fifth true road loss of the year, a schedule shift is on the horizon. ICC will head into a three-game homestand against all-MWAC or Region opponents between next Wedesday and the following Wednesday. 

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Courtland Soll | 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
LaColis Ashby Jr. | 11 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Lavell McIntosh | 9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Keaundre Cooper | 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Kyle Belgrave II | 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
vs. Rend Lake Warriors (5-11)
Wednesday, January 25th - 7:30PM
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill.
WATCH LIVE (YouTube)