APPLETON, Wis. – The Illinois College men's basketball team fell behind early, rallied furiously, then went cold at the wrong time, losing their season finale at Lawrence University on Saturday by a score of 79-76. The Blueboys wrap up the season at 6-19 (4-14 Midwest Conference). The Vikings close at 11-14 (7-11 MWC).
Illinois College didn't shoot all that poorly in the first half, but the Blueboys committed 11 turnovers and Lawrence canned seven three-pointers to help take a 44-29 lead into halftime. Brad Sendell hit all six of his field goal attempts in the first half, including four from beyond the arc, to end the half with 16 points.
The Blueboys were much sharper in the second half and immediately began slicing into the LU advantage. A 7-0 run that began five minutes into the half cut a 56-44 deficit down to 56-51.
Jake Mazrimas scored the first five points of the run, then stole the ball and dished to
Justin Kellogg for a fast-break layup. Later in the half, Mazrimas converted an and-one to put the Blueboys ahead, 60-58, with just over 10 minutes to play.
The closing minutes of the contest went back and forth repeatedly. Sendell gave the Vikings a 74-71 lead with four minutes left, but
Hunter Ottensmeier tied the game two minutes later and Mazrimas gave the Blueboys their final lead at 76-74. With the game tied at 76-76, Sendell scored with under 30 seconds left and IC was unable to tie or take the lead the next trip down the floor. After a foul and a made free throw, a desperation three at the buzzer was no good, allowing Lawrence to hang on.
Mazrimas capped an amazing freshman campaign with 35 points on 15-of-23 shooting along with 11 rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists. He was joined in double-figures by Ottensmeier with 18 off the bench.
