Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland College men's basketball team hosted its first home game of the season on Tuesday, November 15th, as the Cobras fell short, 57-52, against Bryant & Stratton-Wisconsin in a tight contest. Parkland went just 16-64 (25%) from the field and 4-23 (17.4%) from beyond the arc in the team's fourth straight loss to open the season. Sophomore Clovis Gallon Jr. led the Cobras in scoring with 20 points on Tuesday night, including going a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, while sophomore Don Coats III recorded a season-high 12 rebounds.
"Pretty frustrated with the outcome today," head coach John Bowler confessed after the game. "We need to stop beating ourself and start putting together complete games."
The Cobras (0-4) grabbed an early 7-6 lead thanks to a three-point play from freshman Brylan Phillips with just over 16 minutes remaining in the first half, and the score remained there as both offenses stalled for the next 6:30. The Bobcats (4-1) retook the lead with 9:42 to go in the half and held onto it, going into halftime up 27-21. Parkland stormed back with an 8-2 run at the start of the second half to tie the game at 29, with all eight points coming at the hands of Clovis Gallon Jr. Sophomore Khris Green hit a go-ahead mid-range jumper with 16:36 remaining to give the Cobras a 31-29 lead, but the Bobcats responded with a 9-0 run and Bryant & Stratton led 38-31 with just under 12 minutes to play. The Cobras kept the Bobcats within striking distance as the half continued, slowly cutting their lead down to 53-50 with 3:10 to go, and with both offenses struggling down the stretch, two Clovis Gallon Jr. free throws with under 15 seconds remaining closed the gap to just one point. Bobcat guard Elijah Pickens answered with two free throws of his own on the other end of the court, and a late, desperation three-pointer from Parkland freshman Jabryn Anderson couldn't hit the target as the Cobras lost, 57-52.
Coach Bowler promised that brighter days were ahead after the loss, saying, "Although this can be used as a great learning experience for us, I believe that where we are at is unacceptable and changes will be made to get the results this program deserves."
Statistical Overview:
Clovis Gallon Jr.: 20 points, 6 rebounds
Issac Mapson: 7 points, 6 rebounds
Donald Coats: 5 points, 12 rebounds
Brylan Phillips: 5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Up next, Parkland will travel to Mattoon, Illinois on Saturday, November 19th for a game at Lake Land College. Tipoff against the Lakers (4-0) is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Saturday.
