Drive blast Diesels, cruise to 7-0

Jemal Farmer guards Daniel Artest during the Central Illinois Drive game against the Indiana Diesels on Sat., Feb. 4 at Whiteland HS, Whiteland, Ind. (Photo by Craig Fata/WJBC)

WHITELAND, Ind. — The Central Illinois Diesels, presented by Sonic, once again built up a big second-half lead, but this time didn’t let the opposition get within striking distance.

After seeing a 21-point lead disappear last week against the Indiana Diesels in a three-point win, the Drive continued to pound the Diesels in the fourth quarter Saturday night en route to a 117-76 win at Whiteland Community High School.

The Drive never trailed in the game, leading by 10 after one quarter, by 19 at halftime, and by 30 after three quarters.  Jemal Farmer and Perry Petty each scored 24 points for the Drive, who played without two starters: Daniel Ruffin, who is nursing a foot injury, and Tony Lewis, who signed with a pro team in Australia this week. Petty hit four 3-pointers and Farmer sank 14 free throws.

Nigel Bryant led the Diesels with 17. The Drive defense held Diesels leading scorer Keith Radcliff to 9 points, after scoring 23 against the Drive last week.

The Drive take on the Diesels again Sunday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum at 2:05 p.m.

Drive coach AJ Guyton spoke with WJBC’s Craig Fata following the game:

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