BELLEVILLE, Ill. – No. 15 Parkland College Men's Basketball (2-2) played from behind all game and finally succumbed to Southwestern Illinois College (1-1) by the final score of 62-65.
 
The Cobras began the game out of synch, quickly falling behind, 6-17. After settling down, a 20-11 stretch brought Parkland back to within two, 26-28, with about a minute on the clock. The Blue Storm scored one more field goal, and the half ended with the score 26-30. Jordan Burge (12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist), who led the Cobras in scoring, had 8 of his 12 points before the break. Teammate Kamari Kenemore (9 points, 1 rebound) had 6 of his 9 in the same period.
 
As the second half began, a couple of quick Cobras baskets tied the game, 30-30, and it was even once again at 34-34. SWIC began to pull away at that point, 41-48, and with about ten minutes remaining in the game, the Blue Storm lead was nine, 46-55. Parkland pushed back and closed to within two points, 62-64, on a Deonte Dougles (6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal) three-pointer with under a minute to play. SWIC converted a free throw with 26 seconds on the clock, and a missed Parkland three-pointer, at the buzzer, sealed the win for the Blue Storm.
 
In addition to Burge and Kenemore, scoring leaders for Parkland included Josh Rivers (11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) and Kevin Bishop (9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block). Bishop and EJ Ray (4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist) led the Cobras in rebounds, with Douglas, Kelvin Swims Jr. (6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals) and Savon Wykle (5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists) having three each.
 
Though field goal percentages were near 42% for both teams, SWIC made fifteen free throws (71%) compared to Parkland's four (36%). The Blue Storm out-rebounded the Cobras 40-30.
 
Up next, Parkland plays its first home game of the season, hosting Kankakee CC in Champaign, Ill., on Thursday, February 4. Tip-off is scheduled at 7:00 pm.