East Peoria, IL - The Illinois Central College Men's Basketball team (6-11, 2-1 Region 24) concluded its three-game homestand on Saturday by hosting the Archers from St. Louis Community College (11-7) at Ramsey Gym. The Archers, receiving votes in the latest national poll, were unable to contain a quick Cougar start, and although the Archers worked it back within single digits, never led, as ICC took a 76-61 victory.
FIRST HALF RECAP
The Cougars roared out to a 7-0 start by way of a corner three from Michael Womer right off a set inbound play, and 10-0 at 15:52 on another corner three from Womer.
ICC's offense continued firing in the early going, perhaps to no surprise at the moment, a three-pointer, as Rickey Woods III got an offensive rebound and had the space to knock one down for the game's first 10-point lead at 18-8.
Back came the Archers, though. A 8-2 run pulled them within 20-16 of ICC at a media timeout at the 7:52 mark of the first half.
The Cougar offense fought right back, getting the lead back up to 10 points on an offensive rebound and putback from Azarion Richardson, making it 28-18 at 6:05 left in the half.
Leads, or at least margins, would be inconsistent the rest of the half, with each team seemingly having an answer for the other's bucket. ICC would go into the locker room with a 37-30 advantage over the visiting Archers.
SECOND HALF RECAP
ICC was able to get a big momentum play right out of the gate, with Cooper Knoll working the baseline for an and-one, which he'd convert to go up 40-32 with 18:59 to go.
Womer free throws gave the Cougars a 12-point advantage at 63-51 with still 7:47 to play.
Still 7:47 to play, because the Archers had one last big run in them. ICC led by 12 (71-59) with 3:35 to go. They led by 10 (72-62 with 1:23 to go). St. Louis still wouldn't go away. With 13.5 seconds left, the Archers ran a set play from a baseline inbound that resulted in an and-one of their own, pulling them within 74-71, and the clock now at 12.2 ticks.
Now while the Archers missed the free throw, they were able to secure the rebound off the miss and get a timeout in. The problem? They were actually out of timeouts - technical foul. The Cougars would work the free throw line and the clock in the waning seconds for the aforementioned 76-71 win.
Up next is a red-hot Danville Area Jaguar squad that boasts a win over #7 Parkland among their current four-game win streak and (7-1) record in their last eight games. The Jaguars have not lost at home since a 73-72 defeat against Lincoln Trail back on November 19th (4-0 since).
COUGAR STATISTICS
Rickey Woods III | 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Jeremiah Tate | 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists
RJ Davitz | 12 points, 10 rebounds
Michael Womer | 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Idris Thomas | 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Azarion Richardson | 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Cooper Knoll | 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Isaiah Payne | 3 points, 3 assists
Cody Marcinko | 3 assists, 2 rebounds
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ Danville Area Jaguars (10-7 Overall, 4-2 Region 24)
Monday, January 20th - 2:00 PM CST Tipoff
At Mary Miller Gym - Danville, Illinois
Watch Live (VCloud Tech)
