Robinson, Stipp Lead Sandburg Men Past Bees in Home Opener
Aaron Frey
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 9:53 PM
Athletics
Galesburg, IL
The Carl Sandburg College men’s basketball team opened its home schedule with a 79-69 victory over St. Ambrose JV on Tuesday night at John M. Lewis Gymnasium.
The Chargers (2-1) picked up their second straight victory and were led by sophomores Deandrey Robinson (Peoria, Ill./Peoria) and Ben Stipp (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon), who scored 19 points apiece.
Robinson also led the Chargers with nine rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocks. Stipp did his damage on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting from the floor and hit all five of his free-throw attempts.
The Chargers also got double-digit scoring efforts from Scott Gowan (Rockford, Ill./Rockford East), who had 11 points and three steals, and Elias Akale (Ashdad, Israel/Mekif Tet), who scored 10.
Sandburg raced to 11-0 lead in the game’s opening 5 minutes and held a 36-24 halftime lead over the Fighting Bees. SAU closed within 67-63 with 4:11 to play before the Chargers scored five straight to push their lead to nine. Robinson found Akale for a layup, and, after Robinson split a pair of free throw, Akale hit a shot in the lane for a 72-63 advantage with 3:00 left.
Drew Wichers hit seven 3-pointers and scored a game-best 22 to lead the Bees.
Sandburg is in action this weekend at the Waubonsee Classic. The Chargers play the host Chiefs at 7 p.m. Friday and take on Oakton at noon Saturday.