Pence scores 22 in win over Rantoul, Spartans pick up first loss to Tri-Valley
By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
St. Joseph-Ogden opened Illini Prairie Conference play on Friday with a win against Rantoul before dropping its first game of the season on Saturday against Tri-Valley.
Both boys’ basketball games were played on the SJ-O court.
The Spartans overpowered Rantoul 60-37, but fell victim to a late Tri-Valley comeback a night later, losing a 66-64 decision.
Ty Pence tossed in a career-high 22 points to lead SJ-O against the Eagles. He also cleared eight rebounds as did teammate Conner Hodge.
Hodge totaled eight points while Payton Grimsley and Chance Izard added seven points apiece.
Payton Cain captured seven rebounds and Grimsley handed out two assists.
SJ-O extended an 18-point halftime lead into a 57-22 bulge after three quarters.
Izard and Pence lit it up from the outside against Tri-Valley, each knocking down five three-points shots.
Izard netted a season-high 27 points. Pence added 17. Drew Coursey contributed eight points to go with a season-high 11 rebounds.
Cain added three rebounds and two steals.
SJ-O carried a 44-37 lead into the fourth quarter, but fell behind for good in the last 2 ½ minutes.
SJ-O (6-1) returns to action on Tuesday at Champaign Central.
