By: Vinnie Birk - Blackburn College Sports Information
Although the majority of the Blackburn College community had a month-long winter break, both the men's and women's basketball teams were still hard at work over the holidays. The teams mixed in two-a-day practices along with their scheduled games for a busy break. Here's the Blackburn action you missed while you were inside drinking hot cocoa.
The women's team played seven games over break but couldn't find a win. The six women on the basketball team have been working extra hard because of the low roster size. Despite having a small team, the Beavers fought hard and averaged just under 52 points per game. Blackburn played two games in the Pat Deacon Classic Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky before taking a short break for the holidays.
They were back in action on New Year's Eve for one last non-conference matchup against Illinois College before continuing conference play with games agaisnt Fontbonne, Spalding, and Principia.
Senior captain Briana Rae (Staunton, Ill.) continued her impressive season. She was named SLIAC Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks, the week of December 15 and then again the week of December 22. In those same periods, Rae was also named back-to-back Division III Gem of the Week for women's basketball by Bennett Rank. If her strong season continues at this pace, she may see some more accolades come her way at the end of the season. She has currently posted a double-double in all but two of Blackburn's games this year and is the SLIAC leader in points-per-game with 21 as well as rebounds-per-game with 13.2. Rae is also averaging a whopping 35 minutes-per-game.
With a record of 0-13, the Beavers are back in action this Wednesday at MacMurray College for a 6:00 gametime.
The men's basketball team played six games over the break and finished with a record of 1-5 with plenty close, hard-fought losses beginning with an eight point loss on the road at Westminster on December 13.
Blackburn was on the losing side of two non-conference battles against Knox College and and Rose-Hulman University before losing two more against SLIAC teams Fontbonne and Spalding. The Beavers put the losing streak to a halt as they outlasted the visiting Principia Panthers in overtime this past Saturday.
Chris Davis (Kevil, Ky.) averaged 13.2 points over the break and scored 22 in the home victory agaisnt Principia. He currently sits in fifth among SLIAC scorers with 15.4 points-per-game. The Beavers also got an offensive boost from freshman Jake Lochhead (Chester, Ill.) who, now in a starting role, posted games of 16 points and 15 points in back-to-back contests.
Now 3-10 overall with a 2-4 conference mark, the Beavers are on the road to take on MacMurray College on Wednesday with an 8:00 PM tip-off.