Carl Sandburg - 73
Lincoln Land - 72
The Lincoln Land men's basketball team traveled to Carl Sandburg on Election Night and fell to the Chargers on a last second shot in overtime, 73-72.
The Tuesday night contest was competitive from start to finish. The Loggers were able to race out to a 6-point lead to start the evening. That proved to be only momentary as the Chargers were able to keep the contest closer for much of the night. Lincoln Land was the stronger looking team in the first half, but Carl Sandburg poured in threes to hang around. Three pointers and free throws gave Carl Sandburg enough life to take a small lead in the first half, however never more than a single possession. LLCC went into the halftime break up 31-29.
Following the break the Chargers came out the hotter team and were able to snatch the lead back from Lincoln Land. The game again remained close until with just under 8:00 to go in the contest the Loggers got up to their largest lead of 7, at 53-46. Carl Sandburg responded the same way they did early in the game, two threes and six free throws over the next 5:00 of game play and the score was knotted back up.
Freshmen AJ Tillman became the man of the hour from then to close. Tillman's driving ability became a weapon as he either scored or produced scores on nearly every Logger basket until the end of the game. Over the final 3:00 Lincoln Land was never able to extend their lead to more than 2 and Carl Sandburg was able to match each score. Lincoln Land got fouled with :01.6 on the clock and had an open shot from an underneath out of bounds play that fell just short and sent the teams to overtime tied at 61.
Lincoln Land took the first advantage in the extra frame and led by 5 at one point. But again, a big timed three-pointer pulled Carl Sandburg right back in. The game came down to the last few possessions. The Loggers led 70-68 as the final minute came in overtime. Carl Sandburg was able to get a bucket with :35 left to tie the game at 72. Tillman drove off a screen and attracted a double team. Some quick ball movement and Michael Tyler found himself under the rim unguarded and put in a layup to go up 72-70 with just :09 left. Carl Sandburg called a timeout and had the ball out of bounds at mid court. Sandburg's original action was stuffed by the Logger defense and were forced to launch a three pointer from near the volleyball line 30 feet out. The shot banked in with :01.7 left. Lincoln Land could only get a three quarters court heave at the buzzer and were unable to connect. Carl Sandburg walked out 73-72 winners.
After having only one Logger in double digits on Saturday, LLCC had three scorers hit that mark. Ian Case ended with 11, Tyler ended with 16, while Tilmann led the way with 21, a new career high early in his collegiate career.
Lincoln Land falls to 0-2 on the season. The Loggers will head back out on the road Saturday to Ina, Illinois to play their first region contest of the year against Rend Lake.
