CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland College men’s basketball team pulled away late in a hard-fought 84-68 win over Illinois Central College on Wednesday, March 1st. The Cobras focused on getting inside against the Cougars, gathering 11 offensive rebounds and shooting over 44 percent from the field, as the team improved to 5-5 in conference play in a game that featured 55 fouls and 59 total free throws. Freshman Don Coats III led all scorers with a career-high 28 points, and the Chicago native grabbed 16 rebounds in his sixth double-double of the season.
“I think the confidence that we had in the second half is what we need to consistently have,” Parkland College head coach John Bowler explained after the win.
“Consistency is always going to be the thing with this team,” Bowler continued. “If we can play physical in the paint and if we can attack the rim and finish, then we can be pretty good.”
The Cobras (15-12) (5-5) got it going from three early in the game, taking a 3-2 lead on a Sean Ealy three under a minute into the first half. Sophomore Daniel Reed tied the game 11-11 with a three of his own with 14:46 on the clock, but the Cougars (10-18) (2-7) retook the lead and forced the Cobras to call a timeout trailing 20-15 with 11:01 remaining until halftime. Parkland battled back, tying the game at 25 on another three from Brylan Phillips, and Clovis Gallon Jr. finished through contact to give the Cobras their first lead of the game, 29-27, with 5:13 to go in the half. Parkland closed the half on an 8-2 run, holding a 37-31 lead over Illinois Central at halftime. The Cobras ramped up the intensity in the second half, opening the period with an 8-0 run, and the team led 52-35 with 15:34 to play following two Jabryn Anderson free throws. Parkland shot over 66 percent from three in the second half, and Phillips hit his fourth of the game with 10:57 remaining to give the Cobras a commanding 62-43 lead. The Cobras led by as many as 21 points with just over 10 minutes to go, but a 4:53 scoring drought opened the door for the Cougars, and the visitors cut the deficit to 74-66, forcing Parkland to take a timeout with 2:49 on the clock. The Cobras slowed the game down and scored on their next four offensive possessions, taking an 82-66 lead on a Don Coats III layup with 42 seconds left, and Parkland held on to take down Illinois Central 84-68 on Wednesday night.
Statistical Overview:
- Don Coats III: 28 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
- Sean Ealy: 17 points, 7-8 FTM, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
- Brylan Phillips: 14 points, 4-5 3PT, 6 assists
- Tye Banks: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Up next, Parkland will host Southeast Missouri Prep on Saturday, March 4th, on Sophomore Day and the Cobras’ final game of the regular season. Tip-off against SEMO Prep is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
