Game 2

Robinson (6-2) 49, St. Thomas More (6-2) 42

STAR OF THE GAME

MEYERS LEONARD, Robinson

The 6-foot-11 senior, an Illini recruit, had 15 points (5-for-8 shooting), six rebounds (all defensive) and five blocked shots. "He's a threat without having the ball," Robinson coach BOB COFFMAN said. "Teams hone in on him and it opens things up for our guards."

BY THE NUMBERS

The game featured 10 lead changes and nine ties. St. Thomas More trailed 45-42 in the final minute, and had the ball, but committed a turnover. ... Robinson's DEREK HANNAHS made 4-of-4 free throws in the last 22.2 seconds to seal the win. ... Until the final 10 seconds, the teams were never separated by more than five points. ... Hannahs scored 15 points. ... St. Thomas More coach TODD ANDERSON got all 14 of his squad members into the game before halftime, ... Robinson's lead at the break was 21-19. ... Junior guard NATE FREEMAN led the Sabers with 18 points (8-of-13 shooting). Teammate CLARK SCHMIDT had 11 points. ... St. Thomas More's top rebounder was ZACH JOHNSON with a game-high eight, including six on the offensive end. ... Robinson managed four offensive boards overall. ... The Maroons had fewer field goals (18-14), but made 17 of 20 free throws while St. Thomas More was 4-for-8 at the line.

WHAT WAS SAID

Robinson senior MEYERS LEONARD: "I was a pitcher in baseball and it was my favorite sport. I never thought I'd play Division I basketball and then I hit that spurt (going from a 6-4 freshman to a 6-8 sophomore) and started getting 50 pieces of mail a day."

Robinson coach BOB COFFMAN: "St. Thomas More is very aggressive defensively and also penetrates the ball well. I was impressed."

St. Thomas More coach TODD ANDERSON: "I would put this (coaching at the Assembly Hall) up there with winning the state championship in middle school (at Champaign Franklin). It was awesome. Our guys put on a good show. We were David and they were Goliath, literally. We represented St. Thomas More and also small schools."

–FRED KRONER