CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland College men's basketball team battled a relentless Bosco Institute Prep team on Saturday, February 11th, and the Cobras hung on to win 79-73. Parkland led by as many as 16 points in the second half, but the Dons' success at the free throw line (26-29) kept them in the game. The Cobras shot 50% (9-18) from three and over 42% from the field to get back in the win column on Saturday. Decatur native Brylan Phillps (25 points, 5 assists) led the team in assists and hit a career-high 14 free throws in the win.

Head coach John Bowler felt his team would learn a lot from this game, saying, "We got pushed in a lot of ways against a really good prep school. I think the flow of the game with a little bit off for most of it, so I think fighting through and finding a way to close it was good."

"We have to stop waiting for teams to be really good for us to get motivated for games. We can't play to the level of our competition at times, and we do that in conference and in nonconference (games) as well," Bowler concluded.

The Cobras (12-10) found success from three early, thanks to Donald Coats hitting two from beyond the arc and forcing an early timeout from the Dons (9-9), trailing 6-3. Parkland built a 24-17 lead midway through the first half, and the Cobra lead grew to 13 on a Ken Sallee triple with 6:13 to go. Out of the ensuing timeout, Bosco went on a 4:40, 13-3 run to trim the Parkland lead to 33-30. Freshman Brylan Phillips scored the Cobras' final eight points of the half, including five late free throws, to put Parkland ahead 38-30 at halftime. Both defenses started the second half with renewed energy, and the Cobras led 50-34 after a Tye Banks three with 13:30 on the clock, their largest lead of the game. Bosco cut the deficit to 10 midway through the second half, and Parkland took a timeout leading 56-46 with 8:59 left. The Cobra lead remained at 10 with five minutes to go, but the Dons kept hanging around, trailing 72-63 with 1:23 remaining. Bosco went on a quick 5-0 run and took another timeout with 32 seconds on the clock, now behind just 72-68. The Cobras took care of business at the free throw line when it mattered, going 7-8 in the final minute to close the Dons out, 79-73, in a game that featured 63 total free throws.

Statistical Overview:
Brylan Phillips: 25 points, 14-19 FT, 3 rebounds, 5 assists
Don Coats III: 9 points, 3-3 3PT, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
Jabryn Anderson: 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Isaac Mapson III: 9 points, 5 rebounds
Sean Ealy: 8 points, 3-4 FG

Up next, the Cobras resume conference play on the road at No. 13 Danville Area Community College on Wednesday, February 15th. Tip-off against the Jaguars (17-4) (6-0) is scheduled for 7:30 PM at the Mary Miller Gymnasium.