Illini Basketball beats Eastern Illinois in Opener, 80-52!
Lincoln’s Jermaine Hamlin with a fine outing for the Panthers

By Jeff Mayfield

[November 07, 2023] 

The Illinois Fighting Illini got off to a slow start, righted the ship, and pulled away for a convincing 80-52 opening night victory. The Illini could not keep nor match the high-level intensity they brought to the Kansas game tonight in the EIU game. But they did enough to stave off former Lincoln Railer AND a former Illini, Jermaine Hamlin.

The Illini struggled to make shots in the first ten minutes and Eastern’s intensity and ability to score the ball led to an early lead. Once the Illini got settled, they not only tied the score but took a 4-point lead. To the Panthers’ credit they did tie it once, but the Illinois went on a 17-0 run over a 5-minute span that closed out the first half and removed all doubt to start the second.

Our 3 Stars

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

18 points, an amazing dunk, decent defense, and he just electrified the court and the crowd. All of that in only 19 total minutes of action

Terrence Shannon, Jr.

TSJ contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds, and two steals and played only 26 minutes.

Luke Goode

It is so good to see Luke regaining both his health and his footing on the court. When he is in rhythm and connecting from long range it will help the Illini in a myriad of ways. He finished the night with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Honorable Mention

Jermaine Hamlin

Yes, we know he plays for the EIU Panthers, but he is also a Lincoln Railer! He looks to have really improved after his off-season workouts. He looks bigger, stronger, leaner and most of all just way more confident than in the past. He tallied 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal! Foul trouble limited him to only 22 minutes of action, but we sense a big season on the horizon for Jermaine. All of us here at the LDN wish Jermaine and the Panthers good luck on the rest of the season!

Dain Dainja

Brough a very efficient 12 minutes of play that included going 4-6 from the field for 8 points and 6 rebounds

Amani Hansberry

On any given night you never know what the freshman are going to bring. But Amani acquitted himself well with 7 points and led all Illini with 8 rebounds.

Shoutouts

Congrats once again to the Lincoln Railer Football team for making the IHSA Play-offs for the first time since 1984! That is such a wonderful accomplishment-we salute the Coaches and the players for this epic achievement!

And how ‘bout those Lady Railers? Winners of the Taylorville Super-Sectional and a trip to the State Playoffs this weekend at Redbird Arena. Congratulations to the Coaches and players seems too little for such awesome work! And did we hear that Becca won the State Cross Country title the next morning in Peoria? Are you kidding me? We can’t even begin to stress how remarkable that is!!! Kudos all around!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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