Preview: Vincennes Looks to Extend Streak at Lake Land

MATTOON, Ill. (Interstat) — The nation’s top-ranked junior college men’s basketball team puts its perfect record on the line Wednesday when the Vincennes Trailblazers visit the Lake Land Lakers.

Vincennes (12-0) enters the contest as the clear favorite, having dominated its schedule with an average margin of victory of 24.8 points. The Trailblazers are coming off a 102-79 rout of Shawnee on Jan. 7. Their success is fueled by a balanced attack and the standout play of guard Drae Vasser, who is averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7.5 assists over his last two games, including a 23-point, 8-assist performance in a win at Columbia State.

Lake Land (2-7) seeks a monumental upset to build momentum after snapping a six-game skid with an 89-87 road win at Kaskaskia on Saturday. The Lakers’ offense, which averages 85.2 points per game but allows 90.4, will rely on guard Aiden Swinson. He erupted for 17 points and 7 rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench in the win over Kaskaskia.

The matchup presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Vincennes has yet to be seriously challenged, with only two wins by single digits. Lake Land has struggled defensively, surrendering 99 or more points in four of its losses, including a 107-99 defeat to John A Logan last week.

For the Lakers, containing Vasser and slowing the Trailblazers’ efficient offense, which has scored 87 or more points in eight games, will be the primary challenge. Vincennes will aim to leverage its defensive pressure, which has held opponents to 60 points or fewer five times this season, against a Lake Land team prone to high-turnover games.

This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They are scheduled to play again at Vincennes on Feb. 18.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. Central at the Laker Fieldhouse.