East Peoria, IL - The Illinois Central College men's basketball team lost in a close game to #24 Rend Lake College, 78-75, on Saturday. The Cougars are 14-8 overall. 

Before the game, ICC sophomores, Jaylen Brown, Anthony Allison Jr., and Cooper Knoll, were recognized. 

The game was close throughout the first half, with the Cougars having the largest lead of 6 pts. The game was tied at 13 at the under 8 minute timeout. ICC then went up 31-25 at the under 4 timeout. The Cougars went into halftime leading 38-32.

Rend Lake came out of the second half and cut the lead to 2 points, 42-40, by the first media timeout. ICC then increased their lead back to 6 points, 58-52. Rend Lake fought back, tying the game at 59 at the 10 minute mark remaining in the game. 

ICC had the lead, 64-63, with 7:19 left, but Rend Lake would take the lead 68-64 with 6:16 remaining, holding onto this lead for the rest of the game. With less than 4 minutes left, Rend Lake led 72-64, but ICC did not back down. The Cougars cut into the lead, only trailing by 4 points, 74-70, with a minute and a half left in the second half.

Javaughn Robinson made a couple baskets to cut the lead to 3 points, 78-75. Rend Lake committed an offensive foul, giving ICC the ball with 1.5 seconds left, giving the Cougars a chance to get a good look at the end for a tie, but the ball went in and out at the buzzer, ending the game with Rend Lake winning 78-75. 

The Cougars play next at a Division 1 opponent, Southeastern Iowa, on Monday, February 9 at 7. 

Stat leaders from Saturday's game are posted below:

Individual Stats
Jaylen Brown - 11 pts, 4 rebounds
Javaughn Robinson - 25 pts, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Jaylen McElmurry - 6 pts
Cooper Knoll - 4 rebounds
Benjamin Goeh - 10 pts, 4 rebounds
Brandon Phillips - 4 pts
Peyton Hess - 8 pts, 3 rebounds
Anthony Moore - 8 pts, 15 rebounds, 6 blocks

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Monday, February 9
at 7:00 pm
vs. Southeastern Iowa
West Burlington, IA