Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland College men's basketball team looked comfortable all night on Thursday, December 8th, leading wire-to-wire in a 96-72 win over the Wabash College Junior Varsity team. The Cobras were on fire from deep, shooting a season-high 67% (10-15) from three on their way to a fourth win in a row. Parkland College freshman Jared Hankins led the team in scoring, dropping 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a total team effort.
Head coach John Bowler credited his team's confidence after the game, saying, "We played a ton of road games early in the season, and I think these games at home allow us to get a little more comfortable."
The Cobras (4-5) started strong offensively, making their first three shots from the field and sinking their first four free throw attempts en route to an early 18-8 lead over the Little Giants with 13:19 remaining in the opening half. A big three-pointer from freshman Jabryn Anderson put Parkland on top, 28-15, with 9:42 to go in the half, and it forced Wabash to take its second early timeout of the game. The Cobras dominated the glass in the first half, outrebounding the Little Giants 20-11, as they continued to grow their lead, and the team went into halftime ahead, 46-32. Parkland opened the second half with back-to-back threes from Don Coats III and Clovis Gallon Jr. as the Cobras' hot shooting night continued. The Little Giants did not struggle from the field, going 15-30 in the second half, but the Cobras seemed to have an answer for each make, extending the lead to 63-45 with 14:39 to go. Freshman Tye Banks stepped up off the bench, scoring 11 second-half points, including a late three to give Parkland its largest lead of the game, 90-65, with just under five minutes to go. The two teams slowed the pace in the closing stages, and the Cobras cruised to a 96-72 win over the Division III JV team on Thursday.
"I think it is impressive for us how we were able to extend the lead at times against a very good JV team," Bowler continued, "But I still think we have a lot of room to grow."
Statistical Overview:
Jared Hankins: 16 points (6-6 FTs), 7 rebounds, 3 steals
Clovis Gallon Jr.: 15 points
Sean Ealy: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Jabryn Anderson: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks
Tye Banks: 11 points, 4 rebounds
Up next, the Cobras welcome Indiana Prep Elite to Champaign on Sunday, December 11th. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Sunday, at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.
