Springfield, IL -- In a battle between two of the LSA’s premier programs, O.S. Springfield delivered a signature win, stunning O.S. Jacksonville 70-65 on their home court. The victory was monumental for the Eagles, but the night belonged to Conor McCaffrey, who made history by breaking the LSA’s all-time three-pointers made record, solidifying his legacy among the greatest shooters the league has ever seen.
McCaffrey’s record-breaking shot came in the second half when he launched a deep three-pointer that found the bottom of the net, surpassing the previous record of 251 career three-pointers. By the game’s conclusion, McCaffrey had extended the record to 254, further cementing his name in the LSA record books.
Despite the personal achievement, McCaffrey remained locked in on leading his team to victory. He finished the game with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and a handful of assists, continuing to display his all-around excellence.
In a matchup that saw two of the state’s top teams trading blows, Jace Easley once again rose to the occasion, delivering a team-high 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds. The captain was relentless, pushing the tempo and hitting big shots down the stretch to keep Springfield in command.
Lucas Schmidt provided a crucial spark as well, dropping 18 points and stretching Jacksonville’s defense with his ability to attack off the dribble. His contributions helped Springfield execute their offense effectively against a disciplined Jacksonville squad.
"Great win against a great team," Springfield head coach Phillip Heppe said. "That was a heck of a middle school basketball game. It had everything—physicality, big plays, and two teams that refused to back down."
The game was a physical, grind-it-out affair, with both teams battling for control. Springfield took a narrow 33-31 lead into halftime, thanks to a deep three-pointer by McCaffrey just before the buzzer. From there, the second half was a slugfest, as neither team led by more than six points at any point in the closing 16 minutes.
Jacksonville entered the game as a top-five ranked team in Illinois and proved why, thanks to Michael Wilson and Nolan Killion, who each scored 25 points to keep their team in the fight. However, their efforts were hampered when Wilson picked up his third foul early in the second half, forcing him to sit for over five minutes.
Wilson returned to the floor only to pick up his fourth foul with four minutes remaining in what was then a 59-59 deadlock. His foul trouble limited Jacksonville’s ability to close the game, allowing Springfield to make a decisive push in the final minutes.
With the win, O.S. Springfield improved to 22-5 overall (7-3 in conference), continuing to bolster its reputation as a team built for championship contention. Their record against elite competition is becoming undeniable, as the Eagles are now:
✅ 8-3 vs. Top 25 teams in the state
✅ 3-1 vs. Top 10 teams in the state
"The first half was fast and up-tempo," Heppe said. "Two well-rested teams going at each other. But the second half? That was pure smash-mouth basketball. We had to fight for every inch."
Despite Jacksonville’s late efforts, Springfield executed when it mattered most. Easley and McCaffrey’s leadership in crunch time ensured the Eagles came out on top, while Schmidt’s timely buckets added another dimension to their attack.
With the LSA all-time three-point record now in McCaffrey’s name, Springfield’s momentum is only growing stronger. The Eagles are emerging as one of the most dangerous teams in Illinois, proving that they have both the talent and toughness to compete with the very best.
As Springfield sets its sights on the postseason, one thing is clear—this is a team no one wants to face.