Galbreath, Poindexter lead SWIC past Kaskaskia

In need of something good to happen in what so far has been an injury-riddled season, the Southwestern Illinois College Blue Storm men’s basketball team got a lift from two of its sophomores on Saturday at Kaskaskia College.

Quan Poindexter and Chris Galbreath combined for 10 points in the final three minutes as the Blue Storm held off Kaskaskia 74-67 in a Great Rivers Athletic Conference game.

Seemingly in control with a 13-point lead, SWIC saw the Blue Devils get a pair of 3-point baskets from former Centralia High School standout Ryan Obermeier. Freshman Gavin Schaefer then added a 3-point basket as Kaskaskia cut the lead to 63-59.

But Galbreath responded with a pair of 15-foot jumpers and Poindeter added a layup and also made three of five free throws down the stretch as SWIC held on for its second GRAC win in five games.

The Blue Storm is 7-4 on the season.

“This was a hard fought win and while we missed too many free throws down the stretch, we’re glad to come in here and get the win. Especially after that debacle against Lincoln Trail the other night,” an emotionally drained Blue Storm head coach Jay Harrington said. “It’s just been one injury after the other. First with Kyle (Lemons) and Justin Dieker, then with De’Antae (McMurray) and his mystery heart problems. Dieker got stepped on at practice again yesterday (Friday) but he really gutted it out for us today.

“A lot of the kids are playing hurt right now..... To be able to come in here and get a win, is big for us.”

KEY SEQUENCE

The first three minutes of the first half were a nightmare for the Blue Storm, who committed turnovers on four of its first five possessiosns. Kaskaskia jumped out to leads of 10-0 and 14-3 before SWIC started to show signs of life. SWIC had eight turnovers in the first six minutes, but settled down and had just 10 more miscues for the rest of the game.

A pair of 3-point baskets by McMurray and six first-half points helped keep SWIC in the game until the Blue Storm took the lead for the first time.

After McMurray’s two free throws gave SWIC its first lead at 26-25, Galbreath and Dieker both scored inside to increase the lead to 30-25.

When sophomore Dez Marshall hit an off-balance 30-foot 3-point jumper to end the half, SWIC’s lead grew to 33-27. SWIC then increased its lead in the early part of the second half before the Blue Devils rallied late.

KEY PLAYERS

Galbreath led SWIC with 17 points, while Poindexter (14 points) and McMurray (12) were also in double figures for the Blue Storm.

While the Blue Storm is not out of the race for the GRAC title with three losses, Harrington said he has a more immediate goal in mind and that is for his team to get healthy.

“I think if we are able to get healthy at the same time, we can stil be a very good basketball team,” Harrington said. “I told the kids the other day that we’re not looking at the conference title right now. We’re looking to be healthy in March for the Region (24) Tournament. If we can get everybody ready to go and we can be playing our best basketball season, I think we’ll be capable of beating anybody.”

This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 9:07 PM with the headline "Galbreath, Poindexter lead SWIC past Kaskaskia."