Robinson’s Go-Ahead 3-Pointer Helps Chargers Hold Off Kishwaukee

  Aaron Frey
  Wednesday, January 17, 2018 8:44 AM
  Athletics

Malta, IL

Deandrey Robinson (Peoria, Ill./Peoria) capped a big night with the go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing minutes and led five Carl Sandburg College men’s basketball in double figures as the Chargers opened their Arrowhead Conference schedule with an 81-78 victory at Kishwaukee on Tuesday night.

Trailing 73-72, Robinson knocked down his third triple of the night with 2:28 left to give the Chargers (12-7, 1-0) the lead for good. Robinson and Kourtlandt Martin (Evansville, Ind./Central) each scored 19 to lead Sandburg, which shot 53.6 percent (30 of 56) from the field.

The Chargers also had an impressive night from beyond the arc, shooting 55 percent (11 of 20), including a 3-for-3 effort from Robinson. Tyler Houston (Knoxville, Ill./Knoxville) sank a team-high four 3s on seven attempts to finish with 16 points.

Robinson finished 8 of 11 from the field and added eight rebounds, tying Matt Wendling (Athens, Ill./Athens) for the team lead. Wendling scored 14 points, and Martin had seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Freshman guard Eryon Byrd (Peoria, Ill./Peoria) had a perfect night shooting the ball, going 4 for 4 from the field and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line for 11 points. Byrd also added three assists and a pair of steals for Sandburg, which took a 42-37 lead into halftime.

Rudy Lopez scored a game-high 21 points off the bench to pace the Kougars (4-14, 0-1), who also got 20 points from Caleb Gould.

Sandburg will play its first home game of the conference season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Illinois Valley. The Chargers women’s team will face the Eagles in the opening game at 5:30 p.m.