By Steve J. Moga
(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College's men's basketball team built a big lead and then held on to down the College of Lake County 90-84 on Tuesday evening in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. In the process the Chiefs (17-5, 6-1) moved into a first-place tie in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference standings with Moraine Valley Community College halfway through the league schedule. The Cyclones (14-7, 6-1), who come to Waubonsee tomorrow evening for a showdown for first-place, suffered their first conference loss last night losing 69-64 at Elgin Community College. The Cyclones downed the Chiefs 92-78 in their previous match-up in Palos Hills back on January 6.
Lake County (8-15, 3-4) jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead before the Chiefs responded with a 13-2 run to grab a 15-11 lead. Waubonsee gradually built a double-digit lead and led by as many as 13 points with four minutes left in the first half. However. Another 9-2 run by the Lancers got them within striking distance two minutes later. Coach Lance Robinson's crew answered back again with a flurry on both ends of the court, capped off by a CJ Savage three-pointer from the left corner in the final seconds to send the Chiefs to locker room with a 49-36 lead.
Waubonsee then opened the second half with a 13-1 run to take a commanding 25-point lead just five minutes into the second half. The Lancer spent the rest of the game clawing their way back into the game and made things interesting down the stretch. The Chiefs maintained a double figure lead until Lake County's Jayden Hall scored on a drive to the basket to cut the deficit to nine points with three minutes to go. The Lancers then connected on a trio of three-point baskets to suddenly get within two points at 86-84 with 0:13 remaining. But a pair of free throws each by Dirk Nickson and Kamea Chandler secured the victory for Waubonsee.
Nickson finished with a team-leading 15 points to go along with making four steals and handing out three assists. Chandler added 14 points, including three buckets from long range. Chikasi Ofoma netted 13 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out three assists and hammered home a pair of two-handed slams to the excitement of the crowd. Freddy Hassan chipped in with 10 points and hauled down eight boards, Ehi Ogbomo booked nine points, while Savage and Tarell Harding each contributed eight points
The Chiefs host Moraine Valley tomorrow, Thursday, January 29 beginning at 7:15 p.m. The women's contest is set to begin at 5:15 p.m. in Erickson Hall. The game can be seen 'live' at www.fan.hudl.com and then search for Waubonsee women's or men's basketball. Waubonsee Sports Information Specialist Steve Moga with be providing the play-by-play on both the broadcasts.
Tarell Harding makes a move to the basket for two of his eight points. Ehi Ogbomo looks to get a shot off over the outstretched arm of Quinn Athanassoulis.