Malta, Ill. - Northward was the ICC men's basketball team (3-2) on Saturday afternoon, as they made their way up to Kishwaukee College for a battle of the mascots, Cougars (ICC) and Kougars (KCC). The matchup bred an interesting connection, with Kishwaukee being the former home of ICC Director of Athletics Rob Buss, who was the head MBB coach for 15 seasons with the Kougars, winning 248 games and two region championships. Alas, the current employer won this battle, with ICC pulling ahead in the second half to secure its second road victory within its three wins. This one was by a 63-54 final score. 

It was quite the back and forth first half, but Kishwaukee held a slight 27-24 edge at halftime. It was the second half that changed the game for coach Tony Wysinger and company. ICC lept out of the locker room to the tune of a 10-2 run, forcing the Kougars to call a timeout. Despite that, back came Kishwaukee with a run of their own, cutting it to a six-point spread.

Amariyae Wilson had something to say about that comeback, making a personal six-point run to push the ICC lead back up to 12. The Cougars were able to hold off Kishwaukee, at least in terms of getting within single digits, all the way until the Kougars banked in a three before the final horn to set the aforementioned final score. 

ICC STATISTICS @ KISHWAUKEE:
Emaryon Byrd | 11 points, 4 blocks, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
LaColis Ashby Jr. | 11 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 steals, 4 assists
Amariyae Wilson | 10 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Payton Cook | 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks
Willie Fragher | 7 points, 8 rebounds
Azarion Richardson | 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
Ayden Grant | 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Jeremiah Tate | 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Isaiah Donnell | 1 point, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Damuzha Moore | 2 rebounds

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
vs. St. Ambrose JV Bees
Tuesday, November 14th - 6:00 PM
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill.
Watch Live (YouTube)