MATTOON, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers moved up two spots in this week’s NJCAA Division I National Rankings to No. 4 in the country.
The Blazers got their first opportunity to defend this new ranking Wednesday night at Lake Land College in Mattoon.
Vincennes controlled the rebounding game all night to the tune of 47 rebounds and 22 offensive rebounds in a 90-67 victory over the host Lakers.
The Trailblazers struggled offensively early in the first half of play but were able to get their footing and use an 8-2 scoring run to take an early 17-11 lead.
Lake Land would battle back in front of the home crowd and were able to cut the VU lead all the way down to one at 32-31, before the Blazers answered back with five unanswered.
The two teams traded baskets for the rest of the first half, with Vincennes heading into the locker room break leading Lake Land College 40-36.
VU looked to pull away early in the second half, scoring the first six points of the period to take the first double-digit lead of the game at 46-36.
Lake Land would again answer and cut the VU lead down to four before VU used a 9-0 run to take a 61-47 advantage over the Lakers.
Vincennes would look to put the game away for good with a late 7-0 scoring run to grow their lead to 20.
VU continued to close out the game strong, coming away with the 90-67 Region 24 victory over Lake Land College, VU’s fifth victory in a row and 15th victory of the year.
“We started to get a little more organized offensively,†VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin said. “We played on one side of the floor for the first seven or eight minutes of the game. We didn’t swing the ball and we didn’t break them down. Then when they are coming towards me in the second half it’s a little easier for me to control it and we’ve got to do a better job in the first halves when they are away from me.â€
