Robinson, Judson stay in CCAC title hunt
As far as game-changing plays go, it doesn't get much better than DeWayne Robinson's.
The Judson University senior poster-ized Trinity International University's DeVon Shavers with his mega slam dunk midway through the first half of Wednesday's game.
The dunk, which put Judson ahead 26-22, kick-started a 10-1 run. The Eagles then rode the lead to a 79-70 victory in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Judson's Linder Center.
"It's a crowd pleaser," Judson coach Jim Cook said. "For the guys it (motivated them). It's exciting for the team."
Robinson jacked a 3-pointer on the Eagles' next trip down the court. The senior, who is averaging a conference-best 21.3 points per game, put in 15 of his game-high 26 points in the first half.
The dunk, which Robinson said many of his teammates referred to as his best in the locker room after the game, clearly gave the Eagles (15-8, 8-2) all of the momentum that they needed.
"I just get the feeling and take off," said Robinson, who added with 4 assists and 3 steals. "Whatever happens, happens."
After trailing 38-30 at the half, TIU (6-20, 2-7) would never get closer than 5 in the second half.
Justen Boyd (8 points, 4 assists) scored on the Eagles next trip down the court and Joe Gonnam (13 points) made it 68-59 after scoring after a turnover. Judson finished the game going 50 percent (26 of 52) from the floor, while limiting TIU to 41.4 percent (26 of 62).
Wednesday's win snaps a 2-game losing streak for Judson. The Eagles, who entered Wednesday tied with Trinity Christian for first-place in the CCAC, knew how important it was to secure a win.
"This was an important one for us to get back on track," Robinson said. "We wanted to focus on our defense."
With 2 games remaining, Judson hosts Purdue-Calumet on Saturday before closing the regular season out with a showdown at Trinity Christian on February 20.
"Those are two must wins in order to win the conference," Cook said. "We had to get ourselves back on track with a win here. The guy have been practicing like that all week."
Streamwood graduate Chris Oates finished with 13 points and Steffan Williams finished with 14 points for the Eagles.
Boys basketball
Walther Lutheran 63, Westminster Christian 55: In the Private School League Tournament Westminster (18-7) fell to Walther Lutheran. Joel Benson led the Warriors scoring 19 points.
"They jumped us 10-0 right away. At the half our goal was to get within 8 points which we did by the end of the third quarter. We cut it to three twice and we had the ball down by four with 22 seconds left and then the ball was turned over. Our start cost us the game but now we just have to get ready for Friday," said Westminster coach Bruce Firchau.
Tyler Beachler added 14 points and Ryan Beachler posted 10 points for the Warriors.