JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Coe College men's basketball team put together a late rally on Friday evening but ultimately suffered its first defeat of the campaign, falling 77-66 to Illinois College, the hosts of the Bill Merris Tournament. Coe found itself down double-digits early in the game, spotting the Blueboys a quick 11-0 lead in the first three minutes of the contest. The hosts continued to build the lead in the opening half, taking advantage of Coe's shooting struggles as the visitors were just 8-of-27 in the first period. Coe hung tough in the second period and remained locked into the game, slowly chipping away at the lead to get within single digits with over seven minutes to play. The hosts regained their footing for the final moments of the second period despite the Kohawks getting within three, ending the game on a 17-9 run.
TJ Schnurr was Coe's leading scorer in the defeat, posting 19 points and seven rebounds while
Bennett Sherry and
Cael Schmitt each eclipsed the double-digit mark. Sherry was Coe's leading rebounder on the evening, finishing with 11 for his second-straight double-double.
ILLINOIS COLLEGE 77 - COE 66
GAME FACTS
- Illinois College got off to the perfect start, scoring the opening 11 points of the game as Coe missed its first four shots. The Blueboys stayed hot for the entirety of the first period, hitting 16-of-36 from the field while cashing in on eight 3-point field goals. Coe had 11 turnovers in the first half, leading to 12 points for Illinois College. The hosts were threatening to put the game away early in the second, quickly stretching the lead to 19 less than three minutes in. Coe refused to go away despite its largest deficit, trimming the lead to 11 with a 6-0 run around the midway mark of the half. Schmitt, Schnurr and Sherry cut further into the lead in the next few possessions, getting buckets on Coe's next three possessions including a fast-break dunk for Sherry which made it a six-point game. Coe got within three points moments later, slicing the lead to one possession with an old-school 3-point play from Schnurr. Illinois College regained composure after Coe's barrage, outscoring Coe 17-9 in the closing minutes to fend off the comeback.
Up next: The Kohawks will return to the court tomorrow, Saturday, November 18 at 1 PM for the second game of the Bill Merris tournament, facing North Park University at Illinois College.
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