LLCC: Men's Basketball Trail to Spoon River in MWAC Match Up

 

[February 13, 2023]
Spoon River - 71
Lincoln Land - 67

A Saturday afternoon Mid-West Athletic Conference game slowly slipped away from the Lincoln Land Loggers men's basketball team who lost to the Snappers of Spoon River, 71-67.

Lincoln Land came out as the team of note taking an early multiple possession lead. Back on January 14th of this year when these two teams played the Loggers raced out to a large lead to start the game, so LLCC knew a hot start would not guarantee victory. Today followed that script as Spoon River made sure the game did not totally get away from them and battled to stay close. Although Spoon did take a one-point advantage on two occasions the Loggers controlled the game for that first frame. Lincoln Land out-shot and out-rebounded the Snapper to take a 30-26 lead to the break.

Out of the half although LLCC got immediately in foul trouble and Spoon River capitalized, scoring 9 of their first 11 points of the half from the free throw line. The Loggers remained efficient in offense to stay ahead; however, they relinquished the lead for the first time in nearly 20:00 of game play with just over 15:00 to go. LLCC trailed 45-44 when the wheels came off. Spoon River rattled off a 16-0 run to begin to run away to lead by a game high 17. After finally breaking their scoring drought, the Loggers responded with a 10-0 run of their own to keep the Snappers within range. The Loggers followed up their mini run with a second, this time 8-0 to get to 63-60 with under 3:00 to go in the game. After trading free throws, the game sat at 64-61 Spoon River. The Loggers ran out of gas there and gave up two scores to put their deficit too much to overcome. LLCC had one more solid opportunity to get back with 5, but an open lay-up just rolled out of the rim. With that, Lincoln Land was never closer than 6 until an uncontested lay-up at the buzzer brought them back with 4.

The Loggers' offensive advantages disappeared in the second half, as Spoon River recovered to shoot a higher percentage, 40%, to LLCC's 37%. Spoon River was also able to ice the game away from the line, shooting 33 in the half and making them at 81%. Michael Ousley led the Loggers in scoring with 18 to tie the game high with Spoon River's Devontre Chaney. Moory Woods ended in double digits with 12, as did Stephan Douglas with 11. Camren Kincaid has a stat stuffing game finishing with 13 points, a team high 9 rebounds, a game high 6 assists, and a game high 5 steals.

Lincoln Land falls to 9-12 on the year after dropping their second game in a row. LLCC also falls to 3-3 in the conference.
Their next contest is Monday, where the Loggers remain at home and will take on the JV squad from Illinois Wesleyan.

Provided by:
[Hannah Werth]
Lincoln Land Community College
Sports Information Specialist]