In a commanding performance at Deaton Gymnasium, the Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) Falcons soared to a 101-77 victory over the West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) Stars on Tuesday, November 21st.
Head Coach Sam Swinford commended his team's resilience during a demanding week, saying, "I'm so proud of our guys and how they've embraced this past week (5 games in 8 days) and the preparation that goes into each and every game. All 12 of our active guys contributed tonight, and we're glad to head into a short Thanksgiving break with a win."
“Hats off to Coach Sam Miller and WKCTC tonight,” said Swinford after the win. “They are a young team that gave us trouble with their pressure and executed at a high level tonight. They will only get better.”
The starting lineup showcased a balanced effort, with standout performances from key players. Sophomore Guard Jadyn McHugh contributed 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Sophomore Guard Eli Mackey added 18 points and 5 rebounds. Freshman Forward Bryce Conner secured a double-double with 11 points and an impressive 13 rebounds. Center Maurice Washington-Williams chipped in 8 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
The bench also played a crucial role in the victory, adding 50 points to the charge. Freshman Guard Parker Culbertson led the charge with 16 points and 2 rebounds. Freshman Point Guard Ray Horry chipped in 11 points and 3 rebounds in just his third game back from injury. Charles King added 8 points and 9 rebounds to the mix and displayed versatility throughout playing multiple positions. Kaiden Kender and Wadang Wel provided depth on the interior adding 4 points and 6 points respectively, including a two hand flush for Wel to seal the win late. Freshmen Joel Hortin and Rylie Rushing added to the efforts with a transition three pointer and two free throws to add to the Falcons’ second half run.
The Falcons dominated various aspects of the game, boasting a 47% success rate from beyond the arc, a 57% success rate on 2-pointers, and a solid 70% from the free-throw line. The team's collective effort on the boards was evident with 16 offensive rebounds and 33 defensive rebounds. The Falcons showcased excellent teamwork with 27 assists and displayed defensive prowess with 9 blocks and 7 steals.
Looking ahead, the Falcons will host the Arkansas State-Newport Aviators (NJCAA Region 2) on Wednesday, November 29th, at 7 pm, aiming to extend their success during this impressive 6-game home stand.
