EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The Parkland College men’s basketball team handled its business at the free throw line to hold and defeat conference rival Illinois Central College, 67-59, on Wednesday, February 1st. The Cobras went 14-17 (82%) from the line, and sophomore guard Sean Ealy (10 points) went 6-6 from the free throw line in the final minute of play to help lead the Cobras to their second conference win of the season. Springfield native Tye Banks (12 points, 4 rebounds) led all scorers, and freshman Don Coats III (9 points, 9 rebounds) led the team in rebounds.
The Cobras (10-9) (2-3) pulled ahead 10-9 on a Brylan Phillips three with 13:26 remaining in the first half, and the team led for the remainder of the game. The Cougars (7-12) (0-4) cut the deficit to three, forcing a Parkland timeout with 6:46 to go in the half, but a Tye Banks three in the final second of the first half gave the Cobras a 39-32 lead at the break. Parkland built a ten-point lead in the second half, forcing ICC to take a timeout down 46-36 with 15:35 on the clock. The Cougars climbed back into the game with 5:56 remaining on the back of a 10-2 run, but the Cobras kept their cool and locked in on defense. Banks hit another big three to put the Cobras up 61-53 with 2:11 to go, and Sean Ealy hit six clutch free throws to help Parkland to the 67-59 win.
Statistical Overview:
- Tye Banks: 12 points, 4 rebounds
- Daniel Reed: 11 points (4-4 FTs)
- Don Coats III: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks
- Sean Ealy: 10 points (6-6 FTs)
- Brylan Phillips: 8 points, 3 assists
Up next, the Cobras host reigning national champions, No. 6 South Suburban College, on Saturday, February 4th, on Hall of Fame Induction Day. Tip-off against the Bulldogs (19-3) is scheduled for 3:30 PM, following the induction of the Parkland College Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
