(Burlington, Ia., Nov.7) - The Southwestern Illinois College men's basketball team was edged Saturday night by Southeastern Community College in the marquee game of the Fun City Classic in Burlington, Iowa, 70-68.
The Blue Storm led 54-53 with just under 10 minutes to play, but the Blackhawks were able to outscore SWIC 17-14 down the stretch to post the victory. SWIC, the No. 6-ranked team in the NJCAA Division I pre-season poll, falls to 2-1 on the year, while Southeastern CC, ranked 14th in the same poll, moves to 3-0 overall. The Blue Storm will travel to Mineral Area College on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. game.
Sophomore guard Mykel Cleveland (Mobile, Al./Williamson) scored nine of his team-high 18 points in the second half to lead the way for SWIC. Freshman forward Walter Hill (Gainesville, Ga./East Hall) came off the bench to add 11 points, while freshman center Aaron Nelson (Sauk Village, Ill./Bloom Township) connected for 11 points as well.
SWIC took a 19-7 lead with 11 minutes, 52 seconds left in the first half, but the Blackhawks would respond with a 15-3 run to tie the game up with just 8 minutes left. The Blue Storm turned their game up a notch late in the half, forcing three Blackhawk turnovers. A putback by Kenny Leverette (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon), and one by Cleveland with two seconds left on the shot clock gave the Blue Storm a 32-29 lead. SWIC led 34-32 at the break.
In the second half, the game turned into a match normally seen in March at the NJCAA national tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. Both squads were unable to get a lead more than four points, and there were eight ties and 11 lead chances.
Michael Luby would hit a fallaway jumper to give Southeastern CC the lead for good, 67-64, with 3:23 left to play. With five seconds left to play, sophomore forward Mike Augustine (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) would have his 3-point attempt blocked, but the Blue Storm would retain possession for one more chance as the Blackhawks were hit with a traveling violation. The inbounds pass sailed out of bounds, allowing Southeastern CC to escape with the win.
Norvell Arnold scored a game-high 22 points to pace Southeastern CC. Jeron Lee put down 8 of his 16 points in the second half while Steven Baker notched 13 points.
