By Roy Valmores, The Chronicle Sports Editor

The Lancers lost Tuesday in a shootout game against conference opponent, Elgin Community College.

Heading into the match, the Lancers were riding a four game winning streak with all games being away from home.

In a conference race where CLC, McHenry County College, and Elgin are vying for first place this game held some value in terms of conference standing.

"It's one out of 14 conference games is the way I approach it. I understand that this one of the opportunities to beat another team that you're competing with," Head Coach Chuck Ramsey said. "It's probably going to come down to all 14 games."

In a 74-72 loss, the Lancers played in a game that was certainly a tale of two different halves.

A quick spurt of scoring by the Elgin Spartans set the tempo for what appeared to be a fast-paced conference match.

Coupled with a stint of suffocating defense, the Spartans jumped to a 11-2 run with 16:57 left in the first half.

Buoyed by a showcase of scoring and rebounding by Jordan Taylor, the Lancers were able to rally back to within three with little over the first half left.

Coming off being named the NJCAA Division II Player of the Week, Taylor ended the game 46 percent from the field for 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and seven of eight from the free throw line.

Unfortunately for the Lancers, his performance wasn't enough to keep CLC afloat for long as Elgin hit a stride with their scoring.

Additionally, Elgin seemed to stifle the Lancers' offensive attempts creating many missed opportunities, all accumulating to a 42-28 Elgin lead heading into the half.

"They wanted it," Guard Arthell Rosquist said. "They knew we were on a four game away winning streak, came in here, knew we would play comfortable. They made us uncomfortable, and that's how they got the 14 point lead."

Rosquist, who was a strong performer throughout the game, had a vital showing in the second half. He ended with 21 points and two steals.

His performance was a portion of the aggressiveness that the Lancers displayed heading into the last half of the game.

With Coach Ramsey's adjustments and stronger play from the Lancers, CLC was able to bring it within two about halfway into the second half of play.

Further adding to this dominant start to the second half, Rosquist was able to slam home the game-tying dunk.

"My dunk is not for me," Rosquist said. "It's for the team because they get up, the crowd gets up. I'm happy I had the opportunity to get that and finish it."

What ensued was the beginning of a dramatic end to a game, as Elgin answered on the following possession with a dunk of their own.

Both teams battled back and forth as the lead changed multiple times especially due to the multiple free throws shots as both teams found themselves in the penalty.

With less than a minute in the game the Spartans were able to score on a play where they were fouled.

They converted on the free throw shot, extending their lead by three and leaving CLC with less than four seconds to try and tie the game.

In a last effort to tie the game, Taylor attempted a three from the corner.

As the clock winded down after an uneventful series of CLC free throw shots, the game closed with CLC unable to close out the game.