Lincoln Land concluded their regular season at home against conference opponent Illinois Central College and everyone in attendance got a great game to watch. Lincoln Land had a small lead early in the game, but the Illinois Central Cougars took a 6 point lead into halftime. Illinois Central extended the lead to 10 early in the second. Lincoln Land came back and took a lead late in the game. From that point on the game remained a back and forth affair. Down two with: 07 second left Lincoln Land used a total of 5 time outs to set up a side out of bounds play which resulted in Quenton Lowe putting in a game tying basket with: 0.2 second left. Lowe's bucket forced overtime, the fifth of Lincoln Land's season.
Overtime was just like the second half. Lincoln Land took a 4 point lead, but after two more free throws by the Loggers, Illinois Central College knocked down two clutch threes to tie the game. ICC held firm on defense and then after a bucket by Jordan Steele the Cougars took a 2 point lead with: 32 left in the extra period. Lincoln Land went for the win and picked the right man for the job, Jeremy Wohltman knocked down a 3 pointer to give the Loggers a 74-73 lead with: 10 second left. The Cougars came down an executed a pick and roll that gave Steele an open look from the lane and he put it in. After a last second desperations shot by Marcus Graham the Loggers fell 75-74. All five overtime games the Loggers have been in have gone against Lincoln Land.
Lincoln Land struggled from the free throw line only putting in 11 of the 20 free shots, and struggled to hit open shots all night. To add to the Loggers troubles they turned the ball over more, shot worse from the field, and had one more turnover.
Sophomore Jeremy Wohltman continues his hot streak by leading the Loggers with 19 points. Graham, Dwight Cunningham added 12 and Quenton Lowe was the other Logger in double digits with 10.
"We talk about how one play can decide a game and tonight are just another example of that. We have struggled to close out these back and forth games, but we executed and put ourselves in a great position to win. Give ICC credit they made the one play they needed to," commented Coach Chad Jones.
Lincoln land begins post-season play at John Wood Community College in Quincy against National ranked #3 Danville Community College. The game will be Friday 3/8 at 4 PM.
