Springfield, IL - The Illinois Central College Men's Basketball team (8-16 Overall, 3-6 Region 24) went down to the state capital to take on the Lincoln Land Loggers (3-20 Overall, 1-9 Region 24) in Region 24 play on Saturday afternoon. The game got off to an even start, but ICC was able to work up to a 5-8 point margin that was never really broken, as the Cougars would eventually prevail by a 68-58 final score.
FIRST HALF RECAP
Shamar Grant hit a three in the right corner to take a 9-6 lead at the 14:00 mark after the Loggers had hit the scoreboard first and giving the Cougars their first lead.
It would stay close, but Lincoln Land made a push and took a 16-12 lead midway through the first half on a converted and-one.
Leads would change hands again, as it was another corner three, this time from Isaiah Payne, that put ICC back in front at 18-16 with nine minutes left.
A couple free throws from Rickey Woods III gave ICC its first multiple-possession lead at 21-16.
The Loggers, though, would respond with another run, this one at a 6-0 clip to retake the lead again at 22-21. Jeremiah Tate hit a running jumper off a screen to change the lead once more at 23-22. Idris Thomas slammed one in on the next trip down the floor to go up 25-22 at the 5:02 mark of the half and force a Logger timeout.
Michael Womer hit a quick three to take the Cougars' largest lead thus far at 28-22. Lincoln Land would out-score ICC the rest of the half (7-4), but the Cougars maintained the lead into the locker rooms at 32-29.
SECOND HALF RECAP
Woods hit a tough runner to go back up multiple possessions at 36-31 with 17:30 to go. Payne would fend off a Logger tie with a three from the point to go up 39-36.
Payne would then collect a steal on the Lincoln Land possession and although he missed a shot attempt, Thomas was right there for a dunk and a 41-36 lead with 14:43 left. A Woods lob to Thomas meant another dunk and a new largest lead at 43-36.
Fast forward and a physical Logger lay-in cut it to a three-point game and a 10-3 run for a 46-43 Cougar lead with now 10:43 left.
After Lincoln Land was called for a flopping technical foul, Woods knocked down a free throw to up the lead to six at 51-45 with 8:25 to go. A Tate floater meant a new largest lead at 53-45.
The Cougars maintained that eight-point lead for the most part, using Thomas free throws to get up 58-50 with five minutes on the clock.
At the last media timeout, however, Lincoln Land had cut the game to a 60-55 margin. Alas, ICC would close the game on an 8-3 run, using Woods free throws, a Thomas lay-in, and one free throw each from Tate and Woods to set the final point total for the afternoon at 68.
COUGAR STATISTICS
Idris Thomas | 14 points, 5 rebounds
Rickey Woods III | 12 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists
Payton Cook | 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
Jeremiah Tate | 9 points, 2 assists
Jaylen Brown | 6 points, 3 rebounds
Shamar Grant | 6 points, 3 rebounds
Cooper Knoll | 3 points, 8 rebounds
Isaiah Payne | 3 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
Michael Womer | 3 points, 2 rebounds
Cody Marcinko | 2 points, 3 rebounds
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ D1 Southeastern Iowa Blackhawks (17-7)
Wednesday, February 12th - 7:00 PM
at Loren Walker Arena - West Burlington, IA
Watch Live (ICCAC Sports Network)
