Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland men's basketball team won an important MWAC matchup on Wednesday night, defeating Danville Area Community College 72-69 to move into first place in the conference. The Dodds' Athletic Complex gymnasium was lively, as Parkland was looking to get revenge for a 66-60 loss at Danville on January 19th. Jamil Hardaway hit the go-ahead three-pointer and two clutch free throws late in the second half to secure the Cobras fourth conference win and sixth straight home win.
 
The Cobras (13-6) (4-1) were fueled by A'Kieon Gill to start. The sophomore transfer scored eight of the Cobras' first 10 points and finished the half with 14. The game remained tight the whole half, but a 9-2 Parkland run gave the Cobras a 39-30 lead at halftime. Parkland held DACC's starters to just two points in the first half, but the Jaguars (14-4) (4-2) got a huge first half from Stephan Atkinson, who tallied 14 points and 3 rebounds in 13 first-half minutes.
 
Jamil Hardaway got the party started in the second half with a three-pointer on the Cobras' first possession, but both offenses shortly fell quiet for a stretch. Both teams faced foul trouble down the stretch as the game tightened up, and the Jaguars took their first lead of the second half, 61-60, with 6:20 remaining. A Josh Rivers layup on the next possession gave the lead back to Parkland, but Rivers would foul out on the ensuing defensive possession. Without Rivers, a reliable late-game situation scorer, someone else would have to step up. The Jaguars hit four straight free-throws to take a 65-62 lead, but it wouldn't last long. Hardaway, off a nice feed from Savon Wykle (12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) stepped up to hit a huge, game-tying three-pointer on their next trip down the floor. With 3:45 remaining it was tied back up at 67 when it was Hardaway time again. The sophomore, again assisted by Wykle, confidently stepped up to hit another three, this time to put the Cobras up 70-67 with 3:19 to go. Neither team could find the bottom of the net and two late Hardaway free-throws put the game away, as the Cobras get the 72-69 upset on their home court.
 
Scoring Summary:
Jamil Hardaway: 16 points, 7 rebounds
A'Kieon Gill: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Savon Wykle: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
Daniel Reed: 9 points
Josh Rivers: 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks
 
Up next, the Cobras will travel to Quincy for a conference matchup with John Wood Community College on Saturday, February 12th. Tip-off versus the Blazers is set for 3:00 PM.