Quincy, IL - The Illinois Central College Men's Basketball team (10-18 Overall, 5-7 Region 24) made the road trip to take on the John Wood Blazers (12-16 Overall, 7-5 Region 24) on Saturday afternoon in the regular season road finale. The Cougars played well in the first half, but a cold-shooting second half effectively doomed the game's result in a 78-63 loss.
FIRST HALF RECAP
The game got off to a close start, with the Cougars holding on to a 9-5 lead at the game's first media timeout. Idris Thomas hit a baseline shot to make ICC the first team to double figures around 4:30 into the game.
A baby hook from Payton Cook gave ICC a 21-17 lead with 6:39 until the half, and with the way the game had been playing out, a mere four-point advantage may have felt like more. Despite that, John Wood promptly nailed a three on the other end to get it back to a one-point game.
In order, a Cook offensive rebound/putback, Cook block on the other end, and an Isaiah Payne runner in the lane to go up 25-20. Yet again, it was the Blazer distance shooting that immediately brought it back to a one-score game.
Rickey Woods III fought for a well-earned basket on the right side of the lane to take a 27-23 lead with 4:27 until the break.
A big open three from Jaylen Brown gave ICC a 30-27 advantage, but once more before the halftime break, John Wood went on a mini 4-0 run to set the halftime score of 31-30 in favor of the hosts.
SECOND HALF RECAP
Thomas hit a spinner to get ICC back ahead at 34-33 about 90 seconds into the new half. Just like the first half, the Blazers responded with a 5-0 run, making it 38-34.
After Azarion Richardson knocked one down to tie it at 38-all, a John Wood trey put them back up 41-38 with 16:10 to go.
Back-to-back threes from the Blazers made it a six-point lead for the hosts with 12:30 on the clock still.
The shots would keep falling for John Wood. A three made it 55-44 with 10:30 left. Doubling up the Cougars (8-4) made it 63-48 with 6:30 to go.
ICC would get no closer than 12 points the rest of the way, and the Blazers came away with the 15-point victory.
COUGAR STATISTICS
Idris Thomas | 16 points, 4 rebounds
Payton Cook | 16 points, 8 rebounds
Rickey Woods III | 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Michael Womer | 6 points
Cooper Knoll | 4 points, 2 rebounds
Isaiah Payne | 3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Jaylen Brown | 3 points
Shamar Grant | 3 points
RJ Davitz | 2 points, 2 rebounds
Azarion Richardson | 2 rebounds
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
vs. #6 Parkland Cobras (26-2 Overall, 12-1 Region 24)
Wednesday, February 26th - 7:30 PM Tipoff
at Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Illinois
Watch Live (Hudl-TV)
