30-point performances by Pence give Spartans two wins

By Fred Kroner

Junior Ty Pence narrowly missed a triple-double on Friday (Jan. 21) at home as St. Joseph-Ogden dispatched Chillicothe IVC, 72-64, in a boys’ Illini Prairie Conference basketball game.

Pence bagged 32 points to go with 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Evan Ingram contributed 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. Logan Smith finished with 11 points, two rebounds and two assists. Andrew Beyers chipped in with seven points, six rebounds and three assists. Coy Taylor ended with six points, two rebounds and three assists.

Pence didn’t slow down on Saturday (Jan. 22) at Effingham St. Anthony, compiling a 31-point, 10-rebound game as SJ-O topped St. Anthony, 54-43, after trailing, 24-23, at halftime.

The double-double was the fifth of the season for Pence.

Smith added seven points and three assists. Ingram drained 6-of-6 free throws for his six points. He also distributed six assists. Taylor added six points and four rebounds.

SJ-O (15-4 overall and 2-1 in the IPC) returns to action on Tuesday (Jan. 25) at home against St. Thomas More.