By John Kendall
IV Leader Staff, Jan. 31, 2008
The Illinois Valley Community College Eagles basketball team broke a college record on Jan. 17 when they gained the biggest win in IVCC history against nationally ranked South Suburban.
The Eagles pulled off the record-breaking win with an 81-79 overtime upset, opening eyes all across the Arrowhead Conference.
After leading for parts of the first half, the Eagles trailed at halftime 35-31. The SSC Bulldogs then opened up a quick run when the second half started, placing IVCC down by 17 at one point. However, the Eagles clawed their way back.
With ten seconds left in regulation, Dee Purnell buried a three-pointer to give IVCC their first lead of the second half, 73-71. Two free throws by the Bulldogs tied it up at 73, sending the game into overtime.
Following a timeout in overtime by Eagle coach Tommy Canale with a tie score of 79, Quentin Noblin drove the lane, but lost control of the ball. Noblin then regained possession of the ball and put in a 15-foot jump shot with four seconds left to give IVCC a two-point lead 81-79.
South Suburban had one last chance to tie the game, but the Bulldogs lost control of the basketball, sending the IVCC student section out onto the court to celebrate the victory.
“I am about in tears. We fought from almost the cellar,” said Canale in an interview on WLPO Radio. “It was going to be nine players and two coaches to pick this win up, and we did it. Those nine kids [the team] deserve all the credit in this win. This is unbelievable; I am speechless. This team is special to me, and will not quit. This [win] is beyond my wildest dreams right now. I am so proud of not only the nine kids, but for this school and the community. This is huge for them.”
Noblin led the Eagles with 31 points and 7 rebounds, despite playing most of the second half with four fouls. Trevor McKey finished with 17 points, while Purnell had 16 points. JJ Neely led IVCC’s rebounding attack with ten points.
IVCC out-rebounded SSC 39-37. In the game, there were five technical fouls, a fan ejected and two players fouled out. IVCC shot 39 percent from the field, and 72 percent from the free-throw line.
The game was broadcast live on WLPO-AM Radio, an archived version of the game available for download or streaming can be found at http://wlpo.cmititestbank.com/media-center/.