Illinois Springfield boxscore in PDF
Summary
The Maryville men's basketball team claimed its first Great Lakes Valley Conference divisional title with a 76-71 victory at Illinois Springfield. The Saints won the GLVC Central Division and improved to 19-7 overall, 11-6 in the league.
What Happened
The Saints trailed 48-39 before embarking on an 11-2 run to surge ahead. Jimmy Barton hit a jumper, and Nolan Berry connected from deep to pull the Saints to 48-44. UIS tipped in a shot before Eugene Jones answered with a layup. Barton drilled a jumper and two free throws by Berry tied the game at 50-50. Robin Thompson powered up for a layup to give the Saints a 52-50 lead with 12:11 left in the game. The Saints stretched their cushion to 64-58 after consecutive hoops by Forrester Sims and Barton.
UIS rallied and tied the game at 67-67 before the Saints made their late run. Berry knocked down a jumper to put the Saints ahead. Forrester Sims scored on a layup for a 71-67 edge. UIS hit a layup with 1:24 left to trim the Maryville edge down to two points. Thompson answered with two free throws with 57 seconds left to rebuild a four-point lead. The Maryville defense forced a missed shot and Barton hit one free throw. The Prairie Stars cut the lead to 74-71 but Barton iced the game with two more at the free-throw line with 14 seconds left.
Statistical Leaders
Points: Jimmy Barton - 15
Rebounds: Nolan Berry - 12
3-Pointers: Jimmy Barton and Casey Teson - 2
Assists: Jimmy Barton and Nolan Berry - 3
Steals: Nolan Berry and Casey Teson - 2
Blocked Shots: Nolan Berry - 2
Notable
The Saints had all five starters score in double figures - Jimmy Barton 15, Nolan Berry and Robin Thompson 14, Casey Teson 13, Forrester Sims 11.
Maryville's defense limited UIS to 32.2 percent shooting in the second half (10-of-31).
Nolan Berry posted his 15th double-double of the season.
Records
Maryville: 19-7, 11-6 GLVC
Illinois Springfield: 14-13, 6-11 GLVC
Up Next
The Saints close out the regular season with Senior Day Saturday, Feb. 27, as they welcome city-rival University of Missouri-St. Louis for a 7:30 p.m. contest in Moloney Arena.
