Bloomington Purple Raiders slide past Springfield Lanphier

Posted on March 18, 2017
Bloomington High School defeated Springfield Lanphier in the Class 3A Third Place game. (Photo: Greg Halblieb/WJBC)

 

By Greg Halbleib

PEORIA – A strong fourth quarter surged the Bloomington Purple Raiders into the lead, which they never relinquished on the way to a 62-56 win over Springfield Lanphier to take third place in Class 3A boys basketball on Saturday at Carver Arena.

Lanphier took a 15-14 lead after a back-and-forth first period and extended the lead to 32-29 at halftime and 48-42 after three quarters. The Lions led by as many as nine points late in the third period.

The Purple Raiders (27-5) cut the deficit to a single point with 2:03 left after a steal and a layup by Colton Sandage, followed by another Sandage steal that led to a layup and three-point play by Chris Payton for their first lead of the second half with 1:23 to play.

Chris Pugh led Bloomington with 15 points off the bench, while Chris Payton contributed 14 points and 17 rebounds. Sandage and Dazon Farris each pitched in 11 points.

Lanphier (28-5) was led by senior all-stater Yaakema Rose with 26 points and 12 points from Aundrae Williams.

The Purple Raiders will be welcomed with their third place trophy during a team reception at Bloomington High School on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].​

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