Box Score EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The Parkland College men's basketball team handled its business at the free throw line to hold and defeat conference rival Illinois Central College, 67-59, on Wednesday, February 1st. The Cobras went 14-17 (82%) from the line, and sophomore guard Sean Ealy (10 points) went 6-6 from the free throw line in the final minute of play to help lead the Cobras to their second conference win of the season. Springfield native Tye Banks (12 points, 4 rebounds) led all scorers, and freshman Don Coats III (9 points, 9 rebounds) led the team in rebounds.

"This was a great road win for our guys against a tough and well-coached team," Parkland College head coach John Bowler said after the win. "Not our normal offensive night, but I'm so proud of our effort on the defensive end. Holding them to 30 percent from the field in the second half allowed us to pull out the win."
 
The Cobras (10-9) (2-3) pulled ahead 10-9 on a Brylan Phillips three with 13:26 remaining in the first half, and the team led for the remainder of the game. The Cougars (7-12) (0-4) cut the deficit to three, forcing a Parkland timeout with 6:46 to go in the half, but a Tye Banks three in the final second of the first half gave the Cobras a 39-32 lead at the break. Parkland built a ten-point lead in the second half, forcing ICC to take a timeout down 46-36 with 15:35 on the clock. The Cougars climbed back into the game with 5:56 remaining on the back of a 10-2 run, but the Cobras kept their cool and locked in on defense. Banks hit another big three to put the Cobras up 61-53 with 2:11 to go, and Sean Ealy hit six clutch free throws to help Parkland to the 67-59 win.
 
Statistical Overview:
Tye Banks: 12 points, 4 rebounds
Daniel Reed: 11 points (4-4 FTs)
Don Coats III: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks
Sean Ealy: 10 points (6-6 FTs)
Brylan Phillips: 8 points, 3 assists
 
Up next, the Cobras host reigning national champions, No. 6 South Suburban College, on Saturday, February 4th, on Hall of Fame Induction Day. Tip-off against the Bulldogs (19-3) is scheduled for 3:30 PM, following the induction of the Parkland College Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022.