East Peoria, Ill. - The ICC men's basketball team (7-14, 0-5) had a highly competitive game on Wednesday evening against the visiting #19 Bryant & Stratton Bobcats. A passionate and emotional game for sure, the Bobcats would eventually come away from Ramsey Gym with a 72-57 win. 

Bryant & Stratton started the game off hot and quickly gained a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes. The Cougars responded with a 14-5 run with about nine minutes left in the first half. Both teams started to settle in defensively and held each other to below 40% from the field in the first half. At the break, the Bobcats held a slim 29-24 lead.

The second half was almost the complete opposite of the first. Both teams started to find offensive rhythm and were trading baskets until the end. ICC had a six-point run with 16 minutes remaining to cut the game down to a 33-30 Bobcat lead. The Cougars continued to put pressure on Bryant & Stratton, which led to Taylor Smith getting an and-one to cut the lead down to just one point. 

The Bobcats showed their resilience with a seven-point run of their won to push the lead back to double digits at 52-42 with seven minutes left. The Cougars were never able to recover and Bryant & Stratton would make continued trips to the free throw line. 

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Lavell McIntosh | 10 points, 6 rebounds
Joshua Shannon | 9 points, 4 rebounds
Keaundre Cooper | 8 points
LaColis Ashby Jr. | 7 rebounds

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ #13 Danville Area Jaguars (16-4, 5-0)
Saturday, February 11th - 3:00 PM
@ Mary Miller Gym - Danville, Ill.
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