(Malta, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College's men's basketball team extended its' winning streak to nine games with a 96-85 win at Kishwaukee College. The Chiefs (9-1) overcame some hot shooting early on by the Kougars (6-5) and rallied in the second half to register the road win. Waubonsee, which for the third straight week received votes in the top-30 of the NJCAA's Division II Men's Basketball poll, was steady throughout the contest and finished the game shooting 58 percent (37 of 64) from the field. Meanwhile, after nailing nine three-pointers in the first half, the Kougars made only 3 of 12 long range shots in the second half.
The Kougars won the opening tip and quickly cashed in on their first possession as Brayden Johnson nailed a three-pointer to get things started. A minute later Johnson hit another trey to make it 8-0 just 90 seconds into the game. After a Waubonsee timeout Pat Robinson scored on a drive to the basket to get the Chiefs on the board. The Kougars led 10-2 before Waubonsee began to chip away at the deficit, pulling within 16-15 when Zachariah Hayslett drilled a three-pointer. Two minutes later Robinson switched hands on a drive to score a left-handed lay-in to knot the score at 19-all. However, Kishwaukee collectively continued to have a hot hand shooting and held a 25-21 lead midway through the first half. At that point the Chiefs started to attack and score in close to the basket to keep pace with the Kougars. Despite a three-pointer from the right corner by Aboubacar Sidibe and back-to-back triples by Robinson, Kishwaukee still remained in front and took a 50-47 lead to the locker room at halftime.
Robinson scored in the paint twice and Sidibe knocked down a 17-foot jumper early in the second half to get Waubonsee within a point at 54-53. A moment later Robinson delivered a great pass between two Kishwaukee defenders to Sidibe cutting back door for a lay-up and a 55-54 Chiefs' lead. A short time later Tim Taiwo splashed a long three-pointer to give Waubonsee a 58-56 lead and they would never trail again. Malik Petty then buried a trey as part of a 14-4 Chiefs' run to put them in front 63-58. Robinson then drilled a three-pointer from the right corner in front of the Chiefs' bench, quickly followed by a steal and easy lay-in by James Parker to suddenly give Waubonsee a double-digit lead 73-62 midway through the second half. Petty connected on another trey and Taiwo scored on a running one-hander as he slashed across the lane to extend the lead to 78-64. The Chiefs built their lead up to 17 points with five minutes to go and held off the Kougars down the stretch. The home team cut the deficit to just nine points with two minutes remaining. However, Tylon Toliver drove down the lane to score and Sidibe made a steal and breakaway lay-in seconds later to secure the win for Waubonsee.
Robinson led the Chiefs with 23 points to go along with three blocks and three assists. Hayslett nearly posted a triple double by finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Sidibe booked 16 points and dished out eight assists as well. Taiwo chipped in with 12 points, eight boards and three assists. Petty contributed 10 points to give the Chiefs five players in double digits. Coach Lance Robinson's crew is in action again this Thursday, December 12 when they take on the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn at 7:30 p.m. Waubonsee returns home next Tuesday, December 17 when they host Black Hawk College at 7:30 p.m. The women's contest between the Chiefs and Braves is set for 5:30 p.m. that evening.