M-Basketball: #9 RVC Takes Down #2 Elgin 94-74
Box Score #9 RVC Men's Basketball finished non-conference play and 2016 with a convincing 94-74 win over #2 NJCAA DIII Elgin Community College. The Golden Eagles improve to 12-4 on the season.
In a game in which the Golden Eagles never trailed, RVC came out firing on all cylinders. Using a balanced scoring attack, the Golden Eagles led 54-38 to enter halftime. Sparked by 2 made shots from behind the arc from
Jace Kitchen to start the second half, RVC stretched its lead to over 20, which remaining consistent for a large majority of the second half. RVC went 20-24 from the free throw line and 12-20 from three point land in the game. The Golden Eagles also controlled the boards all afternoon long, out rebounding the visiting Spartans 50-31.
"Anytime you have a 16-day break from your last game, there is some concern as to how your rhythm will be as a unit," said Head Men's Basketball Coach
Evan Lavery. "I think we had an exceptional week of practice. Our guys were fired up. Elgin is a very good team, and we knew we had to be special in order to get the job done. We shared the ball well, and for the most part, made them work for their points."
For the second consecutive game, RVC had six players score in double figures. Oswego High School graduate
Malique Ross paced the Golden Eagles with 20 points. Ross also contributed a game-high 7 assists. Sophomores
Dalton Menke and
Jace Kitchen added 15 points a piece.
Elijah Pappas contributed a strong floor game with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Alec Pena contributed 10 points. Indianapolis native
DeMari Davis perhaps did the most damage for RVC with 12 points and 17 rebounds, 8 of which came on the offensive end.Â
"I am very proud of our effort," said Lavery. "Conference play kicks off Wednesday and it will be competitive as ever. We have a lot of work to do."
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles take on their second consecutive nationally ranked NJCAA DIII program in rival Joliet Junior College (#7 overall) on Wednesday, January 4th. Tip off is set in Joliet at 7 PM.Â
