Canton, Ill. - Death, taxes, and an MWAC game that comes down to the wire. That's been the story of the conference season for ICC men's basketball (10-17, 2-6). After starting league play 0-6 despite such close results, the Cougars had finally broke through for their first conference win last Saturday. With another Saturday game in front of them, they looked to continue their weekend fortunes. Continue they did, powered by a red-hot start, ICC was able to hold off a furious comeback from the Snappers, getting one last defensive stop for a 81-78 win. 

The Cougars got out in front as much as 11-2 at the start of the game, even leading by double figures at 23-13 with 10 minutes left in the first half. From there, though, the lid went on the basket, and ICC just couldn't get a look to fall - going four minutes without scoring. The cold streak would get snapped, but not before Spoon River out-scored ICC 22-14 the rest of the half, with the Cougars clinging to a 37-35 halftime lead. 

Back and forth it would go, with no true momentum having been grabbed. A Matt Williams rebound and putback with three minutes to go put ICC ahead for good. Alas, those last three minutes were not without drama. 

The Snappers swiped a steal to have one last go at it with 11 seconds on the clock. The Cougar defense came up big on the game's final possession, with Spoon River's overtime-forcing trey falling short and giving ICC the three-point win.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Lavell McIntosh | 20 points, 10 rebounds
Kyle Belgrave II | 13 points, 4 rebounds
LaColis Ashby Jr. | 11 points
Joshua Shannon | 10 points
Matt Williams | 10 points, 4 rebounds
Amariyae Wilson | 7 points, 5 assists
Courtland Soll | 6 assists

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ Parkland Cobras (14-12, 4-5)
Wednesday, March 1st - 7:30 PM
@ Dodds Complex - Champaign, Ill.
WATCH LIVE (YouTube)