MATTOON, Ill. – The No. 9-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers bounced back in a big way after Wednesday’s defeat, going on the road at Lake Land College and coming away with the 97-69 victory.
VU broke free first midway through the first half Saturday with a 10-0 scoring run to take a 27-13 lead over the host Lakers.
The Trailblazers lead would grow to as many as 20 in the first half as VU headed into the halftime break with a 49-30 advantage.
Vincennes would continue to build on this early momentum in the second half by picking up where they left out by scoring the first eight points of the second half to take a 27-point lead.
Lake Land would get back within 24, but were unable to close the margin, even after a late 8-0 Lakers run, VU pulled away late to pick up a very strong 97-69 road Region 24 victory.
“I just thought we played pretty hard,†VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin said. “When we cut harder and move the ball harder we are going to be effective offensively. We are an inside-out team and we are a ball movement team. I think we’ve worked really hard to cultivate a style and then put the fundamentals and things that are going to fit this team.â€
“After putting this new team together, it’s taken us a little bit of time,†Franklin added. “But I think right now, we’ll play with some confidence and trust what we do, I think we’ll be very successful at the offensive end. When we have our problems, it’s because we don’t move or cut and trust. Today I thought we did a better job of those things and you see the result.â€
VU was led offensively by freshman Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.) who finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds to record his fifth double-double of the season and fifth straight game of recording 13 or more rebounds.
Freshman Kris King (Washington, D.C.) came off the bench to record 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, including hitting three first half three’s.
Sophomore Caleb Johnson (N. Preston, Nova Scotia) continued his streak of scoring in double-figures to 20 games after scoring 13 on just six shots, five assists and three rebounds.
Sophomore Trenton Johnson (South Bend, Ind.) came on strong late, scoring all of his 13 points in the second half, hitting five of his six shots, including three three’s.
Freshman Ryan Oliver (Antioch, Tenn.) ended his day with eight points, four rebounds and three assists, while fellow freshman Victor Lado (Louisville, Ky.) came off the bench and had a perfect day from the field, hitting both of his shots and all three free throw attempts for seven points.
