Big Second Half Sends Blueboys to Conference Tournament Title, NCAA Tournament
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Illinois College erased a 15-point halftime deficit and exploded for a 62-point second half as the Blueboys beat Grinnell 108-84 in the championship game of the Midwest Conference Tournament. The victory sends the Blueboys to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.
The top seed in the tournament, IC improved to 23-4 overall while the second-seed Grinnell concludes its season at 19-7. The Blueboys will learn their NCAA Tournament destination on Monday.
The contest was a tale of two halves as the Pioneers used their patented press to control the opening 20 minutes, forcing 18 IC turnovers and converting them to 23 points, and racing out to a 58-43 lead at halftime.
The second half was a complete turnaround as the Blueboys committed only nine turnovers against Grinnell's press and outscored the Pioneers, 65-26 to punch their ticket to the tournament.
IC was keyed by Buzz Ritzel. The junior filled the stat sheet by scoring a game-high 32 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out six assists. Classmate Josh Harris poured in 30 points while Jake Mazrimas added a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Latest Basketball
- Zack Jadzak Named Assistant Men’s Basketball CoachZack Jadzak has been named assistant men's basketball coach at Illinois College, it was announced today by Blueboys' head coach Steve Schweer.
- Men’s Basketball Summer Camp Dates SetThe annual Illinois College Men's Basketball Camp will take place June 17-19 it was announced today by Head Coach Steve Schweer.
- Mazrimas Named First Team All-Region 9 by D3hoops.comIllinois College's Jake Mazrimas has been named first team All-Region 9 by D3hoops.com.
- Mazrimas Named First Team All-District 9 by NABCIllinois College's Jake Mazrimas has been named first team All-District 9 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the organization announced today.
- Overtime loss Knocks Blueboys out of the NCAA Tournament in the Second RoundThe Illinois College men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 68-67 overtime decision to Washington University in St. Louis in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Saturday at the Washington University Field House.
- Harris Three Sends IC past Dubuque as Blueboys Advance in the NCAA TournamentJosh Harris sank a 3pt. field goal as time expired to send Illinois College to a 59-57 victory over Dubuque in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Friday at the Washington University Field House.
