CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 8 Parkland College men's basketball team continued its strong start to the season with a 99-76 win over Glen Oaks Community College on Tuesday, November 14. The Cobras (5-0) outrebounded their opponents 34-28 and forced 14 turnovers against the Vikings (4-1), handing them their first loss of the season. Sophomore Don Coats III (20 points, 10 rebounds) led Parkland in scoring and rebounding, recording his first double-double of the season. The Cobras went 39-62 (63%) from the field and 9-21 (43%) from three in their fifth straight win to open the season.
 
"In the second half, defensively, we were much better," head coach John Bowler summarized after the game. "Glen Oaks is a talented offensive team. They've got some good players and some guys who came in and hit shots, so the credit goes to them."
 
"I think the decisiveness on both ends helped to separate us," Bowler added. "If we guard, we're going to win a lot of games because of how talented we are offensively. I'm proud of our guys to have that resiliency. We've done a good job of not getting too high and not getting too low, and I think it paid off tonight."
 
Parkland trailed 15-12 with 14:02 remaining in the first half when Bowler called the team's first timeout, but the Cobras did not stay behind long. Three-pointers on three straight possessions put Parkland up 30-24 with 8:34 left in the half, and the Cobras led by as many as 15 in the first half, going into halftime with a 49-42 lead. The Parkland offense picked up right where it left off in the second half, scoring on the first three possessions after halftime to go up 55-42 with 18 minutes to go. Following an 8-0 Glen Oaks run, the Vikings cut the deficit to 59-55 with 14:30 left to play, but the Cobras never let the game get closer than that. Redshirt freshman Drew Lewis Jr. came off the bench to hit four straight shots down the stretch to give the Cobras a 79-66 lead with 7:20 left, and the Parkland defense stifled Glen Oaks in the closing stages of a 99-76 win.
 
Scoring Summary:
Don Coats III: 20 points (4-7 3PM), 10 rebounds
Jabryn Anderson: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Bryland Phillips: 14 points, 7 assists
Drew Lewis Jr.: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists
Tye Banks: 10 points (5-6 FTM)
 
Up next, the Cobras take on Hocking College at home on Saturday, November 18th. Tip-off against the Hawks (4-1) is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.