Box Score EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The No. 9 Parkland College men's basketball team fell short in the final regular season game on Wednesday, February 28th, losing 78-74 to conference-rival Illinois Central College on the road. The Cobras (25-4) (9-3) struggled out of the gate against the Cougars (18-10) (7-4), and the visitors could not overcome the slow start. Parkland redshirt freshman Drew Lewis Jr. (23 points, 5-7 3PT) came off the bench to lead all scorers on Wednesday night.

"The credit goes to Illinois Central," Cobra head coach John Bowler said after the loss. "They out-competed us and deserved the win tonight. We will address the issue and move on to prepare for the region tournament."
 
The Cougars jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the first four minutes, extending their lead to 18-8 midway through the first half. Parkland battled back, putting together a 13-4 run to take a 23-22 lead with 7:22 remaining in the half. The Cobras led 30-26 following Isaac Mapson III converting an and-one with 4:26 on the clock, but the Cougars closed out the half on an 11-2 run and led 37-32 at halftime. ICC extended its lead to 47-36 early in the second half before Parkland began slowly trimming the deficit. Sophomore Ken Sallee buried a three with 8:19 to go to cut the score to 61-59, but the Cougars calmed themselves and slowed the game down in the closing stages, holding a 69-64 lead with 3:21 left in the half when the Cobras called timeout. The Parkland offense struggled down the stretch as ICC extended its lead to 75-68 with 41 seconds remaining, and the Cobras couldn't complete the comeback, falling 78-74.
 
Scoring Summary:
Drew Lewis Jr.: 23 points (5-7 3PT), 3 rebounds
Isaac Mapson III: 18 points, 5 rebounds
JaMonte Williams: 9 points, 5 rebounds
Tye Banks: 7 points, 4 rebounds
Jabryn Anderson: 7 points
 
Up next, the Cobras begin postseason play by hosting the opening round of the NJCAA DII Central District Tournament on Wednesday, March 6th. Seeding will be determined after all Region 24 teams wrap up regular season play on Saturday, March 2nd.