Lincoln Land - 75
John Wood - 71
The Lincoln Land men's basketball team sent out their sophomores and closed the regular season on a high note as they defeated the Blazers of John Wood Community College 75-71.
John Wood came into the afternoon with a chance to finish as the 2 seed for the upcoming NJCAA Region 24 region play, but the Loggers had a mission to prevent that from happening. The Blazers got the first bucket of the game and held a lead through the first few possessions before the Loggers got ahead 10-8. Quickly LLCC began to build a cushion after a 10-0 run gave them the double digit advantage. John Wood immediately responded with a 7-0 run to get back within a possession, but were never closer. The lead fluctuates for the remainder of the half from 4-8 until the Loggers closed the final minutes as the stronger team and went in to half with a 14 point lead at 47-33.
At the beginning of the second half Lincoln Land was able to get that lead to a game high 16 at 50-34. Slowly John Wood chipped away at that lead and kept grinding to get it lower and lower. After the under 12:00 timeout the Loggers picked a bad time to go cold failing to score for nearly 6:00 of play and watched a 10 point lead dwindle down and become a 1 point deficit.
However, immediately after trailing the Loggers came right down the floor and snatched the lead back. A few minutes later the same story played out, John Wood took a 1 point lead, but the Loggers scored in their next possession to get right back ahead. Lincoln Land got the next three buckets and turned that deficit to a 5 point lead with just under 1:00 to go. However, the game was still not conclusively over. John Wood got a three pointer and it was back to a 2 point game. Sophomore Mick Downs got one of the defining moments of his career walking to the line up 2 and making what would be the decisive free throws to put LLCC back ahead by 4. John Wood did knock in a three to get the game to 72-71. Freshmen Josh Banks would end up getting fouled and splitting the pair of subsequent free throws. The Logger defense needed a stop and got just that as Banks ended with the ball off the rebound again and was fouled once more. Banks this time iced the game for good as he made both shots and put the Loggers up 75-71 with just :04 left. The Blazers turned the ball over on the proceeding inbounds and the Loggers dribbled out the clock for their 75-71 victory!
The victory was a long time due as the Loggers had not won a game since January 8. The win was not just on the score board, but on the stat sheet as well. As a team, LLCC shot exactly 50% from the floor while also hitting on a season high 41% of threes and went a total of 18/25 from the line to get just enough points for the win! Banks' final rebound also ensured the Loggers would win that battle as LLCC out rebounded John Wood 31-29. Lincoln Land improved their record to finish 4-23 on the season and 2-8 in MWAC play.
Camden Nelson played his final home game and led all scorers with 17, including 4 first half threes. AJ Tillman, as always, was the man who controlled the tempo and hit many well timed shots to end with 13 points while also securing 6 boards and dishing out 3 assists. Banks had five points in the closing minute alone and just missed double digits ending with 9. Mick Downs was able to secure a team high 9 boards on the afternoon.
Post season play begins Tuesday as the Loggers have to travel to Champaign to top seeded Parkland Tuesday evening to begin NJCAA Regional 24 play.
The Loggers also recognized their four sophomores on the afternoon:
#12 Kendall Lavender is the son of Jamie Lavender and DeLeon Lavender. Kendall is from Alton, Illinois and graduated from Alton Marquette Catholic High School. At this time he plans to continue his education and playing career at a four year university and student Sports Management. His best game of his Logger career came against Danville Area back on January 18th where he put in 13 points including three three pointers.
#22 Camden Nelson is the son of Jeff and Sheila Nelson. Camden is from Lincoln, Illinois and a graduate of Lincoln High School. Camden;s career game came against Illinois Valley Community college on December 17th where he put in 6 three pointers and ended with a career high 22.
#24 Logan Tomlinson is the son of Shane Tomlinson and Amy Kurz. Logan is from Chatham, Illinois and a graduate of Chatham Glenwood High School. Logan intends to continue his education at a four year university and study Business, but is undecided on where at this time. Logan's best scoring game as a Logger came this year against Jefferson College where Logan scored 12 points
#30 Mick Downs is the son of John and Carrie Downs. Mick is originally from Girard, Illinois and is a graduate of North Mac High School. Mick is the only two year member of this sophomore class. Mick's best game as a Logger came back in December against Quincy University where he put in 12 points and pulled down 9 boards. Mick will continue his education at a four year university and study Exercise Sciences.
