The Rowe-Clark Masai Lions lost against the Rauner Wildcats back in February of 2022, and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. Rowe-Clark was just a bucket shy of victory and fell 39-38 to Rauner. The defeat unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for Rowe-Clark in their matchups with Rauner: they've now lost three in a row.
Arnez Jones and Taijuan Bloomingberg certainly did their best on Friday to try and avoid the loss. Jones dropped a double-double on ten points and 11 rebounds, while Bloomingberg scored seven points along with 15 rebounds and eight blocks. Jones scored a full 26.3% of Rowe-Clark's points, the fourth time in a row he's earned more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Amontae Fulgham, who scored seven points along with five steals.
Even though they lost, Rowe-Clark were smashing the offensive glass and finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Rowe-Clark's loss dropped their record down to 2-7. As for Rauner, they pushed their record up to 6-2 with that win, which was their 11th straight on the road dating back to last season.
Rowe-Clark will get a bit of extra time to process the loss as their next game is a ways off. They'll take on Butler at 7:00 p.m. on January 9, 2024. Rauner will finish 2023 at home by hosting Proviso East at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
