SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- - Conor McCaffrey scored 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in only 25 minutes in the CIL opener for both teams Sunday morning.
Jace Easley added in 24 points, Jeremiah Perkins scored 8, and Lucas Schmidt scored 7 for Our Savior's (5-2). Easley also had 11 rebounds and 9 assists, with 5 steals.
The previous career high for McCaffrey and rebounds was 11 against Mount Pulaski last December, back in 2018.
"We knew coming in we needed to keep pushing," McCaffrey said. "Central Illinois teams don't give up, so we know we need to keep our foot on the gas."
Noah LeCrone had 16 points for Concordia (6-1). LeCrone, the Cougars' leading scorer, was just 3 of 13 from the field. He went 9 of 10 at the free low line.
"Sometimes when you're on the road, things don't go your way," LeCrone said. "We're playing in the best league in the State. It's just one loss. You can't let that carry over."
The Cougars jumped out to a 15-8 lead but finished the first hald 3 of 26 from the field. They shot 23% percent before the break overall.
Our Savior's went on several runs, including a 22-5 spurt fueled by back-to-back 3s from Schmidt to end the half.
Our Savior's led 35-24 at halftime and dominated the second half from start to finish.
The Cougars were 14 of 55 from the field, while the Eagles shot 27 of 55.
Our Savior's has struggled with turnovers this season and committed 14 against Concordia. The Cougars turned the ball over just nine times.
Concordia coach Richard Pike was not available to reporters after the game.
MCCAFFREY BREAK
McCaffrey was a force the entire time that he was on the floor, carrying the Eagles the same way that Easley had done in previous seasons.
"It was obviously a great night for Conor," said Our Savior's head coach Phillip Heppe. "He was dominant and that was our game plan coming in, to get McCaffrey in situations where he could be productive with the ball."
McCaffrey was glad to get the team's first conference victory.
"Every CIL win is an important win," he said. "We know how good we are and we played like it tonight."
BIG PICTURE
After beating Christ the King 63-48 on the road, followed by an 71-68 loss at East St. Louis, the Eagles did what they needed to against a solid Concordia Peoria team to open conference play. The outcome was never in question in the second half and Our Savior's used it's defense and quickness to put away the Cougars.
HE SAID IT
Schmidt: "We don't dwell on losses. We just put it behind us and come out and play hard."
UP NEXT
Concordia: At home against Calvary Academy on Thursday
Our Savior's: Gets another shot at a ranked opponent when it visits Trinity Bloomington on Thursday.