Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Parkland men's basketball team never trailed in their regular season finale on Saturday, as they defeated Lincoln Land Community College 93-78. The Cobras officially won the 2021-22 Midwest Athletic Conference Championship with the win over the Loggers. The Cobras finished the conference schedule by winning their last eight games, including three in the past five days to clinch the title. A'Kieon Gill (25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists) led all scorers and Savon Wykle (15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) was a perfect 2-2 from outside in the win.
 
            "A conference title was a goal we set from day one," head coach Anthony Figueroa revealed after his Cobras won the M-WAC Championship for the fifth time in his ten years. "We've worked hard to put ourselves in a great position at the region tournament. Our players are excited and hungry for the opportunity to prove they're not done."
 
Cobras (18-7) (9-1) got out to a fast start, taking a 13-3 lead in the first 3:48 of the game on a Savon Wykle three, and never slowed down. Parkland remained in control for most of the first half and closed out the half on a 9-0 run to take a 48-28 lead into the break. The Loggers (7-19) (3-7) began the second half with a three, but the Cobras' A'Kieon Gill responded with one of his own to keep Lincoln Land at bay. The Loggers shot almost 60% from the field in the second half, but it wasn't enough to stop the Cobras as Parkland cruised to the 93-78 victory on Saturday afternoon. Josh Rivers (20 points, 5 had another strong showing and the Cobras shot over 50% from the field and 76% from the free throw line as Parkland wins its first men's basketball M-WAC title since the 2018-19 season.
 
Scoring Summary:
A'Kieon Gill: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists
Josh Rivers: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Savon Wykle: 15 points, 2-2 3P, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Jamil Hardaway: 10 points
 
Up next, the Cobras will return to Springfield on Saturday, March 5th for the NJCAA Region 24 Central District Championship. The Cobras' semi-final opponent is TBD and tip-off time on Saturday is also TBD.