JACKSONVILLE, Ill. –
Buzz Ritzel scored 29 points as the Illinois College men's basketball team concluded the regular season with an 86-63 victory over Knox in a Midwest Conference contest on Wednesday at Sherman Gymnasium.
IC finishes the regular season 17-8 overall and 10-6 in conference play. Knox moved to 4-20 and 1-14.
The victory clinches a berth in the Midwest Conference Tournament, February 28-March 1 at Monmouth. Pairings and game times for the semifinals will be announced on Saturday.
IC 86 Knox 63
A free throw by
Austin Robinson just under five minutes into the game gave IC a 7-6 lead it never replenished. The Blueboys grew the advantage to as much as 17 points and three occasions, the final time coming at intermission, 47-30.
The second half was all IC as well. The Blueboys led by as much as 22 early in the period. Knox whittled the advantage to 10 at 63-53 with 10:34 remaining but IC turned on the jets from there and cruised home. The final margin of victory (23) was the Blueboys' largest of the night.
Ritzel's 29 points led all scorers in the game.
Josh Harris added 15 points and
Javonte McKenzie 12.
Seth Doss grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for the victors as well.
Blue Notes
Tonight was the final home game for seniors Harris, Ritzel, and
Matt Thompson. The trio finished its IC careers with a home record of 45-8 inside Sherman Gymnasium… the 2025 senior class also finished with a Midwest Conference record of 48-16… IC has won 10 of its last 14 outings… the Blueboys have won 49 of their last 62 (49-13) games and 66 of the past 78 (66-13)… IC has also won 38 of its previous 48 Midwest Conference contests… with IC qualifying for the conference tournament, it is the only team in the Midwest Conference to qualify for the past four league tournaments.
Up Next
The Blueboys will await their seeding in the 2024-25 Midwest Conference Tournament which will begin on Friday, February 28th at Monmouth. Pairings and game times will be announced after the regular season concludes on Saturday.
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