SJ-O picks up two wins over Unity and Robinson

By Fred Kroner

Sophomore Ty Pence recorded his third consecutive double-double to open the season and the St.  Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball team improved to 3-0 with an Illini Prairie Conference win on Friday (Feb. 19) at Tolono Unity, 58-51.

Pence had team-high totals of 20 points and 17 rebounds.

Evan Ingram scored 12 points and Jackson Rydell had eight points for the Spartans. Ingram and Cameron Costa each made two three-point shots.

Andrew Beyers gathered eight rebounds. Ingram and Lukas Hutcherson each had two assists.

SJ-O led, 17-8, after one quarter and 25-19 at halftime.

SJ-O continued its weekend road series on Saturday (Feb. 20), posting a 53-43 win at Robinson.

The Spartans trailed by a point after each of the first two quarters, but held the home team to five third-period points and owned a 36-30 lead entering the last quarter.

Pence led the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Ingram scored in double figures for the fourth straight game, knocking down four three-pointers on the way to a 13-point performance.

Beyers contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, and made all of his free throw attempts to finish the two-game weekend series 9-for-9 from the line.

Hutcherson chipped in with seven points, four assists and four rebounds.

The Spartans (4-0) return to action on Tuesday (Feb. 23) at home against Pontiac.