Collinsville held a lead for three quarters Saturday against Marion, stretching the lead to 18 at one point in the first half, but found themselves on the wrong end of a 61-60 score when the final buzzer sounded.
Emondre Rickman / Photo by Roger Starkey
An important point in the game, Head Coach Darin Lee said, was letting the Wildcats (3-2) back into the game after Collinsville (3-2) had built a large first half lead.
“What really hurt us was the second quarter,” Lee said. “We were up 18 and we turned it over three or four times, and they cut it back to eight.”
The difference in the game, however, was free throws, Lee said. Collinsville was whistled for 19 fouls. Marion committed eight fouls and made 20-26 free throws. The Kahoks made 7 of 8 free throw attempts.
“Obviously we fouled a lot more than they did, I guess, I didn’t understand it,” Lee said. “I thought some of the fouls we were straight up, I didn’t think they were fouls.”
The Wildcats converted on 5 of 6 free throw attempts while overcoming a 49-42 deficit to start the fourth quarter. All-tournament selection Brant Hill scored six of his 10 points in the quarter to lead Marion.
Junior guard Anfirnee Wilkinson once again led Collinsville in scoring. Wilkinson’s game-high 21 points helped earn him a place on the All-Tournament team. Wilkinson averaged 18.6 points during the five-game round-robin tournament.
“Wilkinson is coming off that high screen and making it tough on some people,” Lee said. “He’s playing pretty well offensively.”
Collinsville’s guards again played a good game, but the big men struggled. Marion defended entry passes well. When the big men had the ball, they had difficulty scoring. Junior forward Harrison Wethers scored four and senior forward Matt Chambers scored two before fouling out. Junior center Sean Davis managed only three points after scoring in double figures during three of the first four games.
Junior center Emondre Rickman was bothered for a second straight game by a nagging lower leg injury. He did not score.
Collinsville began the tournament winning three straight games, before dropping their final two. Marion lost its first two games in the tournament, including a loss to Salem, whom the Kahoks beat by 36 points, before winning its final three.
All-tournament selection Carsen Cash led Marion with 18 points. Collinsville junior guard Brett Langley scored 16. Senior guard and all All-Tournament selection Jacob Shaffer had 11 points. Junior guard Nic Gonet rounded out the Kahoks scoring with three ponts.
Collinsville opens Southwestern Conference play Friday at Edwardsville with a 7:30 p.m. contest.
