Lincoln Land Men's Basketball Team Earns Second Straight MWAC Win

[January 27, 2023]
Lincoln Land - 64
John Wood Community College - 58

The Lincoln Land Loggers men's basketball team got an enormous 64-58 win over MidWest Athletic Conference rival John Wood Community College.

A large crowd to help Lincoln Land celebrate homecoming propelled the Loggers out to an early 7 point lead. John Wood, previous conference leader, did not go away and forced their way in front of LLCC. The Loggers found themselves down as many as 8 and looked to be in trouble as they were down 23-15. A strong close to the half with a 10-3 run put LLCC into half trailing only by 3 at 28-24.

The second half was more evenly matched as neither team led by more than 4 points. LLCC looked to be trending in the wrong direction when they found themselves down 46-41 after three straight turnovers. However, Michael Ousley, the Loggers leading scorer started getting hot and was able to pour in 9 second half points. Lincoln Land responded with a 9-0 run to race into the lead and never looked back. The run capped at 17-5 when Lincoln Land built up a 7 point advantage with 2:00 to go. The Loggers on the next defensive possession forced a tough shot and miss, but a rebound put back pulled John Wood within five. A quick Logger turnover turned it right back into a one possession game at 58-55. But Ousley calmly walked to the line and knocked in two free throws. The game remained in doubt after John Wood got an offensive rebound and three pointer to get back to within two. Then it was Stephan Douglas' turn to walk to line and sink two. After a defensive rebound by Moory Woods sealed the victory for good to get the Loggers to 64-58 final advantage.

The Loggers previously only defeated the Trailblazers of John Wood once, in 2016, over the last 20 contests between the two squads before tonight's victory. This was also Coach Shanklin's first victory over the Trailblazers.

Michael Ousley ended with a team and game high 15. But balanced scoring from the Loggers meant six players had at least six points. Ousley was followed in scoring by Woods with 11. On top of sealing the game at the line, Douglas ended the contest with a double double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Lincoln Land out shot the Trailblazers from each spot on the floor and combined that with our rounding John Wood by 10 to earn the victory. The blemish of the evening was that LLCC committing 16 turnovers to John Wood's 6.

Lincoln Land is 7-10 on the year while improving to 2-1 in MWAC play and 3-2 in Region 24 contests. The next hurdle will be Saturday on the road against Parkland.