Canton, Ill. - The shortest trek on the region schedule turned out to be one of the tightest games of the year for the Illinois Central College men's basketball team (12-7 Overall, 4-2 Region 24, 2-2 MWAC), as they took on the Spoon River Snappers (3-14 Overall, 1-4 Region 24, 1-3 MWAC) on Saturday afternoon. Despite trailing in the first half, the Cougars worked it to a close halftime score, subsequent second half lead changes, only for the hosts to knock down a game-winning three pointer with mere seconds remaining to make it a 74-73 Spoon River winner.

The game did start as a bit of a see-saw affair, until the Snappers built up as much as a 12 point lead. Now, that being said, the 12-point lead would end up as the game's largest for either side. ICC's offense kept charging along, and the defending held the Snappers pat on route to a mere 35-31 Spoon River advantage after 20. 

From there, the game returned to its see-saw roots. The second half saw several ties and lead changes, with neither team quite able to truly grab ahold of any momentum, at least for the long term. 

In crunch time, coach Tony Wysinger would turn to a couple of his top scorers of late. Tony Mabon Jr. knocked a shot down to give ICC a 72-71 lead with 35 ticks left. LaColis Ashby Jr. hit one of two free throws to make it 73-71 ICC with 13 seconds remaining. Spoon River ball. It was just enough time for the Snappers to get a look at a three-pointer from the top of the key, which they knocked down - 3.3 seconds on the clock. 

The Cougars, having to inbound from the length of the floor, were able to get it across the half-court stripe and call timeout with one second left. Spoon River defended the now-sideline inbound well, and an ICC lob pass was to no avail, and the ball trickled out of bounds and the clock hit zeros. The Snappers had indeed escaped with a 74-73 victory, their first in Region 24 and MWAC play. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Azarion Richardson | 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Tony Mabon Jr. | 20 points, 9 rebounds
Isaiah Donnell | 15 points, 2 assists

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ #8 Parkland Cobras (19-2 Overall, 6-1 Region 24, 4-1 MWAC)
Wednesday, January 31st - 7:30 PM
@ Dodds Complex - Champaign, Ill.
Watch Live (HUDL)