Railers notch second straight win as Tungate’s late 3-pointer to beat Rock Island 42-41

 

[January 27, 2025]  LINCOLN – For a few weeks now, the Railer boys basketball team has suffered from a lack of numbers with multiple players missing time due to injury. And while those inserted into the lineup--some of whom found themselves playing new and different positions than usual to help the team out—have given their all, having a short bench, fewer reserves and missing senior leadership on the court made things challenging.

During this multiweek stretch, as the team has been without three-fifths of its starting lineup, the general mindset about the team has been consistent: if the Railers can ever get everyone on the road to being healthy, this team should be very competitive.

The Railers showed up Saturday night and proved that thinking correct as Lincoln got a late three-pointer from Brody Tungate to beat 20-win Rock Island 42-41.

Saturday night marked the second game back for two of the injured Railers—Drew Hayes and Frank Sanders—as Lincoln faced the 20-2 Rocks after beating Normal U-High the previous night.
 

“We got our two bigs back, and that makes a big difference,” said Railer head coach Neil Alexander. “Hopefully they can stay healthy to practice and we can start doing the things we want to do.”

Rock Island jumped out to an 11-5 lead before Karson Komnick hit a three-pointer and Gabe Smith nailed a field goal to make the score 11-10 at the end of the first period.

Brody Tungate

The Railers outscore the Rocks 8-3 in the second quarter to put Lincoln up 18-14 at halftime. Komnick led Lincoln with six first-half points; Brody Tungate added five.

Tungate and Gabe Smith scored the first five points of the second half to increase the Railer advantage to 23-14. Lincoln would extend its lead to 31-21 later in the quarter, but as had been the case for the Railers in recent games, their opponents cut into the lead to make the game closer as the end approached.

The Railers held a 33-24 lead to open the fourth quarter, but Rock Island’s quickness on defense caused problems for Lincoln. After Tungate hit a field goal with just under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Lincoln led 39-36. Benjamin Goeh then hit a trey for Rock Island to knot the score at 39-39.

Neither team scored until, with just under a minute remaining, the Railers were whistled for a foul. Issais Duarte hit both free throws for the Rocks to give them a two-point advantage.

Lincoln took the ball downcourt, and following a timeout, ran its offense to use up the majority of time remaining so the Rocks would have no time to do much if they got another possession. Komnick had the ball for Lincoln on the left wing; he pumped once looking to shoot but was closely guarded and couldn’t get a clean shot. He passed to Tungate in the corner, who dribbled and made a jab step toward the basket to create space between him and his defender. The 5-foot-10 junior stepped back and released the shot, which fully swirled around the rim before bouncing against the backboard before dropping through the net. A desperation shot by Rock Island was off the mark, and after a few tense seconds during which Lincoln had to inbound the ball after Rock Island lost possession, the Railers defeated Rock Island 42-41.

Karson Komnick

The win moves the Railers to 12-8 overall. Tungate led Lincoln with 14 points, Komnick had nine and Smith added eight. Rock Island was led by Jae'Vion Clark-Pugh with 14 and Benjamin Goeh with 13.

Lincoln’s next action is scheduled for January 28 at home against Jacksonville in a non-conference contest at 7 PM. The Crimsons defeated Lincoln 55-46 on December 13 in Jacksonville.

[Loyd Kirby]