CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 4 Parkland College men's basketball team held off a late comeback by John Wood Community College to close out a 59-55 win on Saturday, February 17. The Cobras (24-2) (8-1) controlled the first half versus the Blazers (13-12) (4-4), but a slow second half allowed the visitors to make things close late. Clutch buckets from sophomores Jabryn Anderson (11 points, 7 rebounds) and Grant Coleman (9 points, 7 rebounds) lifted the Cobras to their eighth straight win. Defensively, Parkland held John Wood to just 22-59 (37%) from the field and 5-17 (29%) from three, including 0-7 in the first half.
 
"Our defense was great. We did a really good job of buying into the scout," Parkland head coach John Bowler said after the game. "We had them scouted pretty well – and we executed on that end."
 
"In the second half, they played with a greater sense of urgency," Bowler added. "When we don't hit shots and don't make free throws, it lets games seem closer, and we just gotta get out of that mode. We have to be better, especially heading into March."
 
Parkland quickly erased an early John Wood lead, going on a nine-minute, 19-0 run to take control of the game midway through the first half. Sophomore Brylan Phillips put Parkland up 26-11 with a converted and-one with 4:19 remaining in the first half, and the Cobras closed the half on another run to lead 33-17 at halftime. The Blazers started the second half strong, cutting the deficit to 35-24 with 16:57 to go before Bowler called timeout. The Cobras knocked down a quick three and slowed the pace out of the timeout. Parkland led 47-38 midway through the second half, but John Wood wouldn't go away, hitting a pair of free throws to cut the score to 52-45 with 4:26 left. The Cobras worked it inside to grow the lead back to nine points with three minutes to go, but another three from the Blazers closed the gap to 56-50 with 2:42 on the clock. John Wood trimmed the deficit to four with under two minutes left, but Anderson rose to hit a big jumper on the next possession, putting Parkland up 58-52. The Cobras struggled from the free throw line in the second half (5-10), but the defense forced tough shots down the stretch to hold on for the 59-55 victory.
 
Scoring Summary:
Isaac Mapson III: 13 points, 5 rebounds
Jabryn Anderson: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Tye Banks: 11 points
Grant Coleman: 9 points, 7 rebounds
 
Game Note: Parkland College inducted the 2023 and 2024 Classes into the Athletics Hall of Fame at halftime of the game, welcoming 12 individuals and one team into the prestigious Hall of Fame.
 
Up next, Parkland continues conference play on the road at Spoon River College on Wednesday, February 21. Tip-off against the Snappers (5-19) (2-6) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.