LYNX DEFEAT SPOON RIVER

In case playing a key role on the NJCAA Division II’s No. 4 basketball team in the nation wasn’t enough to satisfy Shawn Bridgewater, the Lynx sophomore had a reason to be slightly more motivated for Wednesday night’s home match-up against Spoon River College (3-15, 1-5).

It’s safe to say, that reason didn’t go unnoticed.

Bridgewater scored a game high 24 points on 11-15 shooting to lead his Lynx to an 84-71 victory, in his first game against his former team. Bridewater and fellow sophomore teammate Kyle Jacobs transferred to Lincoln College (14-3, 5-0) after spending their freshman year’s at Spoon River last season.

“There was a little bit, yeah,” said Bridgewater of any added incentive. “I felt like I had to sort of let them know, ‘Hey, I’m still here. I’m still Shawn.’ And I think that’s kind of what I did. It was just a little bit something extra.”

“I’m sure there was,” said Lynx coach BJ McCullum of any added inspiration. “I’d just hate to think they’d need something like that to get up for every game. But I think there probably was something extra for Shawn and Kyle tonight.”

The Lynx got off to a fast and furious start, going on a 17-7 run at the game’s outset, which was capped by the first of five three-pointers from the hot hand of former LCHS sharpshooter David Pickering with 14:50 remaining in the first half.

After a spirited Crusader comeback pulled Spoon River within four to make the score 19-15 with 13:22 left in the first half, the Lynx would embark on a 21-4 run over a seven minute span, highlighted by two Jacobs slams and two more Pickering three-pointers to give the Lynx a twenty-one point advantage, 40-19. The Lynx took a 51-34 lead into the halftime break.

Things would get a little scary for LC in the early goings of the second half, however, as Spoon River started the half with a vigorously paced 17-4 run of their own to cut the Lynx lead to just six points, 57-51 with 13:21 left to play.

The Lynx would respond however, as another Pickering three jumpstarted a 13-2 run to give the Lynx an insurmountable 70-53 lead with 7:44 remaining.

“Honestly, I don’t think we played our best game tonight,” said McCullum. “We played good defense when we had to, and David Pickering hit some big shots for us.

Pickering finished the night second to Bridgewater in scoring for the Lynx with 15 points, on 5-8 shooting from three-point range. Jacobs also finished in double figures with 10.

“Shawn did a very nice job for us in the second half on the block,” said McCullum. “We were looking to go inside more, and he got the job done in there.

“David certainly didn’t surprise anybody on our team with the way he shot the ball. He’s had more than a few games like that this season for us. He’s always got the green light to take those shots for us.”

Former Illini Central forward Tyler Schrick started and contributed 9 points to the Crusaders cause on 3-5 shooting from three point range. The Crusaders were lead in scoring by sophomore guard tandem of DeAndre Brock and Matt Koster with 20 and 19 points each.

The game also held a special significance to McCullum, who earned his 300th career victory with the win. McCullum promptly deferred any praise to having the privilege of coaching “great players”.

“To me, stuff like that just means I’ve been around a long time, and I’ve had great players,” said McCullum. “That’s all it means- I’ve been fortunate enough to have great kids.”

As for victory 301, McCullum said if his team doesn’t perform better in Saturday’s battle with conference opponent Parkland College than it did on Wednesday night, they could be in trouble.

“No disrespect to Spoon River, but Parkland is a much more gifted team in terms of size and overall depth,” said McCullum. “They’ve got just as good of guard play as Spoon, but they can hurt you in other ways too.”

The Lynx are set to tip-off against Parkland at 4 p.m. Saturday in Champaign.