CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland College men’s basketball team held onto a late lead on Sophomore Day as the Cobras defeated Southeast Missouri Prep 67-65 on Saturday, March 4th. The Cobras (16-12) outrebounded SEMO 33-31 and forced 13 turnovers in a game where all five available sophomores started after being recognized before the tip. Freshman Jabryn Anderson (12 points, 4 rebounds) came off the bench to lead the team in scoring as the Cobras finish the regular season with a 16-12 record under first-year head coach John Bowler.
“I thought it was good that we got everybody in,” Bowler said after the win. “Being able to recognize these six sophomores and how much they’ve put in for the program and the foundation that we’re trying to lay here moving forward, they have earned those opportunities.”
“We have a lot of guys who can play a lot of minutes at a lot of positions and do some good things, and I’m proud of our guys for fighting through a bit of adversity there at the end,” Bowler revealed.
The Cobras led 19-10 with 7:39 remaining in the first half following a 9-0 run, and Parkland led by as many as 13 points with just under two minutes to go in the first half. SEMO Prep cut the deficit to nine before halftime, and the Cobras led 32-23 at the break. Sophomore Dan Reed led all scorers with 8 points in the first half as Parkland held SEMO Prep to just 1-9 from three. In the second half, SEMO stormed back, trimming the Parkland lead to 34-32 with 18:22 remaining, but a quick 7-0 Cobra run stopped the bleeding. With 9:33 to go, Jabryn Anderson knocked down a midrange jumper to give Parkland a 51-45 lead, but a 3:33 scoring drought opened the door for SEMO, and they tied the game with 7:49 on the clock. The Cobras trailed for the first time since midway through the first half, 56-54, following a SEMO three-point play with 4:43 left, but two quick baskets put Parkland ahead 58-56. Bowler’s squad led 64-60 after a Tye Banks layup, but SEMO answered with a three, cutting the lead to one. Freshman Brylan Phillips went 1-2 at the free throw line with a one-point lead and seven seconds to go, and SEMO missed a last-second heave as Parkland held on, 67-65 on Sophomore Day.
“We have to play hungry, and we have to play consistently. If we can do that, we can be good; and we can make a deep run,” Bowler concluded.
Statistical Overview:
- Jabryn Anderson: 12 points, 4 rebounds
- Isaac Mapson III: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
- Sean Ealy: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
- Daniel Reed: 10 points
- Khris Green: 9 points, 5-6 FTM
Up next, the Cobras will begin postseason play at home on Wednesday, March 8th, when Parkland hosts a Central District Championship opening round game. The Cobras will tip off at 7:30 PM following the women’s game. Their opponent is still TBD.
