Elsah, ILL. - Principia College played host to Blackburn College in their 5
th conference game of the season. Blackburn came into the game tied for first in the conference with a 3-1 record while the Panthers sat at 2-2. Blackburn plays a physical up tempo game and provides a real challenge. Principia was up to the challenge on this night, playing a courageous 40 minutes with just 5 players. Principia's fight along with their execution allowed them to take an 80-66 victory over the Blackburn Beavers.
The start of the game was very slow offensively for both teams. Principia caused chaos for the Beavers early and did not let them get anything on offense. Unfortunately the Panthers lock down defense could not be complimented on the offensive end due to sloppy play and missed shots. Principia started off a little shaky due to the Blackburn pressure. Just seven minutes into the game Principia took an 8-6 lead on a pair of free throws in a very low scoring start.
TreVaughn Goodman was able to spark the Panthers with a steal and a monster two hand dunk on the other end. An energized Panther team went on a 14-3 run in the next three minutes to take a 13 point lead. The Beavers fought back and were able to keep the game even for the final minutes before half. The Panthers took an 11 point lead into halftime with a score of 37-26.
Coming out in the second half the Panthers had an absolutely miserable start. Sloppy play on the offensive end allowed Blackburn to chip away at the lead. A three pointer by Blackburn gave them a 42-41 lead just six minutes into the second half. Both teams began to exchange blows as each would score on the offensive end.
Parker Davidson hit a timely three but was quickly answered by another three pointer for Blackburn. Principia was not phased asÂ
TreVaughn Goodman answered back with a strong layup plus the foul.
The combination of lock down defense and the dynamic duo of
Micah Paulson and
TreVaughn Goodman had the Panthers firing on all cylinders in the final 6 minutes of the game. The Panthers were able to play some of their best basketball of the night in the closing minutes using a 21-7 run to go up by their largest lead of 16 points with two minutes left. Principia's grit and determination with only 5 players proved to be the answer as Blackburn appeared to be the tired team. After a hard fought game Principia came out with the victory 80-66.
Notable Performance:
Principia played just 5 players the entire 40 minutes as Blackburn consistently subbed every few minutes. The Panthers had a trio of top performers as
Micah Paulson,
TreVaughn Goodman and
Parker Davidson all finished with 20+ points. Parker did it on the defensive end as well as he finished with a double-double; 23 points and 12 rebounds.
TreVaughn Goodman added a cool 7 assists to go along with his 23 points.
Micah Paulson finished as the top scorer for the Panthers with 24 points.
Up Next
Principia will play host to Eureka College in the sixth Conference game of the season right here in Elsah, IL Saturday January 6
th at 3pm.
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