Chargers Come Up Short Against Eagles on Sophomore Night

GALESBURG — Tyrese Grose led the Carl Sandburg College men's basketball team with a season-high in scoring and tied for the team lead in rebounds, but the Chargers were unable to hang on to a halftime lead in a 77-68 Sophomore Night loss to Illinois Valley on Tuesday at John Lewis Gym. 

KEY MOMENTS
• Sandburg rattled off 10 straight points to take a 17-8 lead with 12:06 left in the first half. Sophomore Hunter Caves opened the run with a 3-pointer, and sophomore Myles Estrada closed it with a trey of his own.
• The Chargers (8-20 overall, 2-8 Arrowhead Conference) led 36-23 with 3:49 left in the half after a pair of Caves free throws, but the Eagles finished the half by scoring nine of the last 11 points to get within 38-32.
• Sandburg maintained its lead in the opening minutes of the second half before Illinois Valley grabbed the lead for good with a 9-0 run to go up 48-44. A 10-0 run later in the half put the Eagles ahead 62-49 with 8:06 to play.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
Grose had a season-best 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting and grabbed seven boards to match Connor Barnett for the team lead. Grose also picked up a pair of steals. Grose's previous high in scoring was 15 points on a pair of occasions — Feb. 4 against McHenry County and Feb. 7 against Black Hawk.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Caves — 12 points, 3 of 5 field goals, 2 of 2 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 5 assists

SENDING OFF SOPHOMORES
Tuesday's contest marked the final home game for sophomores Caves, Estrada, Barnett and Griffin Ronnebeck. They were honored in a ceremony prior to the game.

FOR THE EAGLES
• Vijay Wallace — 26 points, 8 rebounds
• Henry Lorton — 18 points

UP NEXT FOR SANDBURG
7 p.m. Wednesday at Division I No. 6 Indian Hills 

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