GALESBURG, Ill. –
Buzz Ritzel scored a career-high 35 points while leading the Illinois College men's basketball team to an 82-67 Midwest Conference victory over Knox on Tuesday at Memorial Gymnasium.
With the win, IC now stands at 11-5 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Knox dropped to 3-11 and 0-5.
IC 82 Knox 67
The Prairie Fire held an eight-point lead at 19-11 after 10 minutes of play, but the Blueboys countered with a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to take the lead back. The duration of the opening half was a see-saw affair as there were five lead changes and neither team led by more than five points. The contest was tied at 45 after the first 20 minutes.
The second half was all IC.
Josh Harris opened the scoring with a 3pt. field goal and the Blueboys would never relinquish the lead. IC grew its advantage to 10 points on a trey by Ritzel with 5:04 remaining and cruised home for the victory. IC's 15-point margin at the buzzer was the largest lead of the night.
Along with Ritzel's 35, the Blueboys got 18 points and six boards from
Ty Lenhardt.
Seth Doss contributed 10 points and six rebounds while Harris added 10 points.
Jaylen Swinney had a game-high nine rebounds for the victors.
Blue Notes
This was the second time in three games that Ritzel has eclipsed the 30-point mark as he scored 31 in the win at Beloit last week… the Blueboys have won 43 of their last 53 games and 60 of the past 70… IC has also won 32 of its previous 39 Midwest Conference contests… tonight's game concluded a stretch for IC where it played seven of eight games on the road.
Up Next
IC returns to Sherman Gymnasium on Saturday to host Lake Forest in a Midwest Conference contest. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.
