Spartans drop final Illini Prairie Conference game

By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com

The Spartans lost a lead that was one point at halftime and grew to four in the third period on Friday at Bloomington Central Catholic and wound up dropping a 62-53 decision.

The loss was the first for SJ-O in Illini Prairie Conference games.

SJ-O led 22-21 at halftime and didn’t relinquish the lead until the final two minutes of the third quarter when BCC shot into a 31-30 lead.

Payton Cain scored 16 points to lead the Spartans. Ty Pence chipped in with 14 points to go with 11 rebounds. Chance Izard added 13 points and two assists.

Cain finished with six rebounds and three steals.

SJ-O (21-8) returns to action on Tuesday in the 6 p.m. Class 2A regional tournament game against Westville on the Spartans’ court.