BY JOHN D. HOMAN
Logan Media Services
CARTERVILLE – Freshman guard Martavian Payne, taken out of his starting role for the first time this season due to a previous shooting slump, responded in a big way with 19 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting stint from the field. That outburst included 5-of-5 baskets from long range to lead John A. Logan College to an 84-78 league win over visiting Kaskaskia.
Payne’s only hiccup was at the free-throw line, where he could only convert 2-of-5 tosses.
With the win, the Vols improve to 13-7 overall, 6-3 in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and 9-3 in Region 24 play.
Logan head coach Kyle Smithpeters was pleased with Payne’s performance.
“It was good to see Martavian active and ready to shoot the basketball tonight. He’s a weapon. There’s not a spot on this floor he can’t hit a shot from. I’m glad he showed up to play tonight. He responded unbelievably well after a tough four-game span.”
Payne said he simply let the game come to him.
“I got open and let my teammates get the ball to me in transition,” he said. “I didn’t know I hadn’t missed a shot from the field. I just kept playing.”
Joining Payne in double figures were Darien Walker (17 points); DeVaughn Johnson (14) and Jay Johnson (14). Jordan Martin finished with eight points and would have reached double figures, but could only knock down 6-of-12 free tosses. A.J. Riley also collected eight points.
The Vols outrebounded the Blue Devils 39-to-29 with Walker grabbing 11 caroms.
Logan returns to action Wednesday at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg for a 7:30 match.
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