East Peoria, Ill. - In a week that has been all about the start of the collegiate basketball season, the ICC men's basketball team (2-2), who'd been in action for roughly a week, took the floor at Ramsey Gym on Tuesday night to start its Region 24 schedule against the Rend Lake Warriors. The Warriors presented an offense that definitely spread the floor, but the Cougars were able to counter that offensive presence, and despite the occasional loss of their lead in the second half, prevailed in a narrow 62-59 victory.

FIRST HALF RECAP
The game started back and forth in nature. Amariyae Wilson found LaColis Ashby Jr. for a dunk with 14:40 to go and a 10-6 ICC lead. Jeremiah Tate hit a trey with 10:35 to go to make it 17-11. Azarion Richardson (who shot a team-best 4-7 from the field for 11 first-half points) hit a trey to go up 27-21 with 5:20 until the half. 

That being said, it wasn't until around the point of Richardson's three that the Cougars truly began to expand on that lead that, to the present point of the game, they'd never surrendered. A jumper from Richardson gave ICC its first double figure lead at 32-21 with 2:45 to go.

Then the largest lead of the game came with Wilson found Ashby again, this time for a three, and a 35-21 advantage with just 1:05 until half. The Warriors hit one last three before the break, giving the Cougars a 35-24 lead after 20 minutes. 

SECOND HALF RECAP
When it came time for the second half, the game took on an interesting vibe. The teams would trade buckets, and occasionally misses, on their respective possessions, continually swinging the game in and out of a 10-point spread. 

It would be the Warriors to make the first 'move'. An and-one with 10:00 left and a made floater with 8:15 left added up to a 53-52 Cougar lead. 

Rend Lake would turn it into a tied game with a made three with 5:30 to go, setting the score at 57-57. That would eventually turn into the Warriors' first lead of the game at 59-57 with 4:45 to go. 

From there, more back and forth action. Despite that, it seemed like ICC was taking a sliver of momentum. Tate had made an and-one (no free throw made) with 2:34 left to go ahead 61-59. When the Warriors were presented with a free throw opportunity of their own on the other end, neither fell. Richardson would make a free throw for a 62-59 ICC lead with 1:41 on the clock. 

For that last 101 seconds, no points were scored. However, you wouldn't know that with the intensity that stretch of game possessed. Neither team was quite able to capitalize on their free throws. 

Rend Lake brought in a rebound with 1.8 seconds to go and called one final timeout. The Warriors were able to get the ball across half court and to the volleyball line, but a desperation three attempt was defended well by Ashby to set the final score. 

ICC STATISTICS VS. REND LAKE
Emaryon Byrd | 16 points, 6-11 FGs, 4-5 3's, 8 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl
Azarion Richardson | 16 points, 6-13 FGs, 2-5 3's, 2-7 FTs, 4 reb, 1 blk
LaColis Ashby Jr. | 11 points, 5-15 FGs, 1-5 3's, 6 reb, 4 blk, 1 ast
Jeremiah Tate | 11 points, 4-6 FGs, 1-1 3's, 2-4 FTs, 2 reb
Ayden Grant | 2 points, 1-2 FGs, 1 reb, 2 stl
Willie Fragher | 2 points, 1-4 FGs, 5 reb, 1 ast
Payton Cook | 2 points, 1-1 2's, 3 reb, 1 ast
Amariyae Wilson | 2 points, 1-6 FGs, 0-1 3's, 4 reb, 2 stl, 1 ast
Isaiah Donnell | 4 ast, 1 reb
Damuzha Moore | 1 stl

HE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM COACH TONY WYSINGER
On his team's perseverance despite losing a lead late
"The situation in Iowa helped us. We had the lead there with five or six minutes left and didn't close it out. They had to learn from that. We did that tonight, but the next piece of that puzzle is making free throws."

On the scoring production, particularly having four in double figures
"The big one was (Jeremiah) Tate. We've been talking for awhile, he's been telling me, 'coach, I'm a little nervous right now', but I told him that I have confidence in him and for him to have confidence in himself. Him seeing that basketball go through that basket and him making plays for our team, is huge. We've just needed another guard, and he gives us that."

On how big for 'team morale' the Rend Lake win is after the losses in Iowa
"Huge. Huge, because it was a home game. The one at Iowa, we don't belittle it, but it is a game we should've won. If we had lost this one, it was going to be even harder for these guys. Finishing the game gives these guys confidence. One, that they can do it. Two, that they can trust each other." 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ Kishwaukee Kougars
Saturday, November 11th - 3:00 PM
Kishwaukee College Gymnasium - Malta, Illinois
Watch Live (Facebook)