Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland College men's basketball team returned to the win column on Saturday, January 21st, taking down conference foe John Wood Community College, 81-69, for the Cobras' first conference win of the season. Parkland shot the ball well on Saturday, going 24-48 (50%) from the field and 10-22 (45.5%) from three. Freshman Tye Banks posted a strong performance for the Cobras, leading all scorers with 20 points and adding three rebounds and three assists.
 
"Our guys showed a lot of tenacity after letting one slip away last time," coach John Bowler said after his first conference win as head coach of the Cobras. "I think it speaks volumes about our culture and the guys we have in our locker room, and it is all credit to them for coming out and finding a way to win."
 
Parkland opened the game with a balanced attack, as all five starters scored the team's first five made field goals, and the Cobras (9-7) (1-1) jumped out to a 12-5 lead over the Blazers (12-8) (1-1) with 15 minutes to go in the first half. John Wood battled back, cutting the deficit to just three points with 6:31 remaining, but sophomore Clovis Gallon Jr. responded by burying a three on back-to-back-to-back possessions to give Parkland a 31-19 advantage with 4:27 left in the half. The Blazers closed the half on a 7-2 run, and the Cobras went into the locker room leading 35-29. In the second half, John Wood continued to build on its momentum, trimming the Parkland lead to 47-46 with 13 minutes to go. The Cobras' offense struggled midway through the second half, and the Blazers took advantage, taking back the lead with 9:33 on the clock. Parkland trailed 60-56 when the Blazers took a timeout with 5:43 remaining, but the Cobras exploded out of the timeout, going on a 9-0 run to retake the lead with under five minutes to play. The Cobras struggled from the free throw line earlier in the half, but the team went 11-12 from the charity stripe in the final three minutes to close out the 81-69 win over the Blazers.
 
Statistical Overview:
Tye Banks: 20 points, 4-5 3PT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Brylan Phillips: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Issac Mapson III: 11 points, 7 rebounds
Sean Ealy: 11 points, 5-6 FT
Jabryn Anderson: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
 
Up next, the Cobras hit the road to face Spoon River College in Canton, Illinois, on Wednesday, January 25th. Tip-off against the Snappers (12-8) (1-1) is scheduled for 7:30 PM.