Illini Roll Over Lindenwood, 117-65
Lincoln’s Jermaine Hamlin Tallies Career-high 8 points and 4 rebounds
By Jeff Mayfield

[November 27, 2019]  After a slow start teaser, the Illini went on a huge run and were never threatened on their way to a 117-65 thumping of the over-matched Lindenwood Lions.

However, there were still some good things that came from the contest. Not the least of which was seeing Trent Frazier get re-calibrated from long-distance, seeing Da’Monte Williams contribute a career-high offensive night, and seeing Lincoln’s own Jermaine Hamlin finish with a personal career-high of 8 points and 4 rebounds.

Ayo Dosunmu led the way for Illinois with 24 points, Williams went for 18 points including 8 from the charity stripe, and Frazier popped in 17 markers including 5 bombs. The Illini went on a 21-0 run in the first half and led at halftime, 66-29. The Illini out-rebounded the smaller Lions and shot a blistering 62% from the field which led to six Illini reaching double figures. Completing that group were Andres Feliz with 16 points, Kofi Cockburn with 12 points and 8 rebounds, and Giorgi Bezhanishvili with 10 points.

But for us the story was not complete without the play of Lincoln freshman, Jermaine Hamlin. Illini assistant coach, Geoff Alexander, also from Lincoln, has told this reporter on more than one occasion that Jermaine is, “really bringing it in practice.”

It is apparent that Hamlin is getting more comfortable each and every game and is improving by leaps and bounds. His line last night of 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block is a huge positive step for a youngster learning the ropes on a Big Ten team.

Anyway, the win takes Illinois to 6-1 and gives them a huge shot of confidence going into a much tougher portion of the schedule. After the Thanksgiving holiday [by the way, Happy Thanksgiving everybody!]. The campaign will really ratchet up in intensity as the Illini host The Miami Hurricane Monday night at 6pm.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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