If I had asked you at halftime what the final score would be, I doubt you would’ve predicted that Illini West would completely take the game over down the stretch and win by 22. I say that, because the score at halftime was Illini West leading by just three points, 29-26. The game was a tennis match in the first half…evidenced by 11 lead changes. Then the teams went in opposite directions in the second half. From the break, Brown County shot just 24% from the floor and Illini West shot 53%. Brown County’s Hornets won the rebound battle 32-27, but turned the ball over 17 times to Illini West’s seven. Those 17 turnovers led to 20 Chargers points…many of which came in the second half.
The Chargers (8-6) had a trio of double-digit scorers, led by Drake Mudd’s 20 points. Nolan Deitrich had 18 points of his own and Reece Shoup added 15. Mudd had a game-high 10 rebounds. Colby Robertson had four assists from the guard position.
The Hornets (8-5) *also* featured three double-digit scorers in Cole Behymer (14), Tyce Fullerton (12), and Sam Carr (11). Colby Wort and Fullerton both tied with seven rebounds to lead BC. Wort’s five assists lead both teams.
Illini West advances to Game 18, which is the second consolation semifinal. It will be played tomorrow morning at Brophy Hall at 10:30am. Brown County has been eliminated from the tournament.
Box Score
Illini West Info
Brown County Info
Chris Derry
December 28, 2022
