The Lincoln Land men's basketball team struggled early and eventually fell 68-62 to the Warriors of Rend Lake Wednesday evening at Cass Gymnasium.
For the second game in a row, the Loggers started sluggishly and found themselves in an early deficit. LLCC found themselves up 5-2 after a three pointer on their third possession, but then the slow start struck. The Loggers failed to score for nearly 8:00 of game play and during the stretch Rend Lake was able to score 15 straight points. Already down double digits the Loggers now had to play from behind for the second game. Over the second half of the first period, the Loggers were never able to get closer than 11 and found themselves down by as many as 19 before going in to half trailing 39-26. 26 is the second worst scoring half the Loggers have had all season.
Coming out of the break LLCC gave up scores on four of the first five possessions and again found themselves down 19. Lincoln Land finally got back within 10 with just over 12:00 to go, but immediately gave up an 8-0 run over the next 2:00 to find themselves again trailing by 16. Then the Logger offense and defense found a stronger stride and Lincoln Land began their climb back in to the game. Lincoln Land first rattled off an 11-0 run and ended at 16-3 run and found themselves down just 3. Kobe Taylor was a spark off the bench making a career high 3 threes helping support the Logger late run, tying his season high of 9 points. Ultimately, the Logger comeback ran out of steam as they got within three at 62-59, but were unable to get any closer. Rend Lake was able to force stops, make free throws and pull back away to the eventual final of 68-62.
Lincoln Land's offense struggled to their worst shooting night of the season, shooting a poor 32.5% from the field, a season low, and 26.9% from three well below their season average. To make matters worse, the Loggers were outrebounded for the second game in a row and their fifth in six contests. Jalen Ashely came off the bench to tie Keshaun Harlan for the team high of 13 points. Ashely also led the team with 7 rebounds and impacted the game in every facet with one assist, and a pair of blocks and steals. Jaylen Lockhart was the other Logger in double digits with an early career high of 12 points.
The Loggers now stumble to 4-5 on the season and 1-1 in MWAC play. For the first time in the new year the Loggers will hit the road. Saturday they travel to Danville to take on Danville Area Community College.
