PIQUA, Ohio. – The No. 14 Parkland College men's basketball team fell behind early but powered past Mid Michigan Community College in the second half for a 76-71 win at the Edison State Tip-Off Classic on Friday, November 3. The Cobras (2-0) converted on clutch possessions late in the game against the Lakers (1-1), closing out the win with shots in the paint and at the free throw line. Sophomore forward Isaac Mapson III led all scorers with 15 points in a balanced Parkland offense as four Cobras scored in double-figures to close out the Edison State Tip-Off Classic with a 2-0 record. Don Coats III (7 points, 10 rebounds) led the team in rebounds off the bench in the win.
 
"I'm really proud of our group showing the maturity needed to win this game," Parkland head coach John Bowler boasted after the game. "Mid Michigan is very talented and well-coached. Being able to fight back after a bad first half shows the mental toughness needed to win consistently."
 
"We didn't do the thing necessary to close games like this early last year," Bowler reflected, "We have grown up in several ways compared to last season."
 
Parkland held a slim lead in the first minutes of the game until the offense went cold, and coach Bowler called timeout down 15-9 with 12:58 left in the half. The Cobras kept the game within reach but trailed 36-29 at halftime. The team opened the second half with an 8-0 run to retake the lead over the Lakers, and the Cobras led by as many as nine points when Mid Michigan called timeout with 10:56 to go. The Lakers came out of the timeout hot, closing the gap and retaking the lead. The sophomores stepped up late for Parkland. Isaac Mapson III skied for a layup with 1:31 to go, and Brylan Phillips hit two free throws with under a minute left to keep the Cobra lead at 73-70. On the following possession, Jabryn Anderson handled the ball and went 1/2 from the line, missing the second just for Don Coats III to slam home a dagger putback dunk in the 76-71 win.
 
Scoring Summary:
Isaac Mapson III: 15 points
Jabryn Anderson: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Brylan Phillps: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Grant Coleman: 10 points, 8 rebounds 2 steals
 
Up next, Parkland hosts its first home game of the season on Monday, November 6, against Greenville University JV. Tip-off for the home opener against the Panthers is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.