LLCC - 68
Rend Lake - 92

The Lincoln Land men's basketball team fell to the Rend Lake Warriors92-68, at home Monday evening at Cass Gymnasium.

Earlier this year, the Loggers played close to the Warriors for the first 27:00, but allowed Rend Lake to run away with the game in the closing minutes and eventually won 85-61. Tonight played out a little differently as Rend Lake raced out to a big lead early of 15-5, and Lincoln Land never got closer that that 10 point deficit the entire first half and found themselves down by as many as 22 in the half. Through some sluggish play and early foul trouble the Loggers were able to cut into that deficit and went into the locker room trailing 43-26.

After coming out at half and shaking up the starting line-up a bit, Lincoln Land came storming back and got to as close as 7 with around 11:00 to play. The same five Loggers who started that half played that entire stretch and pushed the run for the Loggers. Unfortunately for Lincoln Land, Rend Lake came down the floor and knocked in a three point basket, got a foul called in their favor away from the ball, and proceeded to score 7 straight points on one trip down the floor. That put Lincoln Land down further than they would be able to overcome. Rend Lake slowing ticked their lead higher and higher down the stretch until it reached the eventual high of 28 in the closing minute.

The Loggers season leading scorer, sophomore Nic Hagel led Lincoln Land in scoring with 19. Sophomore Jake Pennel also poured in 12 in the losing effort. Freshman TJ Gaines did see a career high 8 points while also pulling in 10 board and dishing out 2 assists in what has been one of his best games to date. Rend Lake had four scorers in double digits, out-rebouned the Loggers 40-27, and committed 7 less turn overs which resulted in 15 more shots

Lincoln Land, who is now 0-8 on the year, has a quick turn around as they play Wednesday not he road in Mattoon against Lake Land, who defeated Lincoln Land on a buzzer beater last season.