(ROBINSON) — Final round action in the Little Illini Conference Tournament saw the defending champions retain their crown, but they had to come from behind to do it. Defending champion and top-seeded Lawrenceville was challenged early by second-seeded Casey-Westfield in Friday night’s championship game at Robinson High School, but the Indians dominated the second half and pulled away for a 42-31 win to repeat as conference tourney champions.

Casey-Westfield scored the first five points of the game and built a 13-5 advantage by the end of the first quarter, but Lawrenceville closed to within 20-16 at halftime. The Indians seized control in the third period, opening on an 11-1 run to take a 27-21 lead and they still held a 29-26 edge heading into the final period. Lawrenceville then won the fourth quarter 13-5 to seal the come-from-behind win.

Zander Cessna led Lawrenceville (21-1) with 16 points, while Noah Wilson was right behind with 15, Jacek Mickiewicz contributed six, Emery Ivers scored three and Jayden Goff added two.

Fred Thomas led Casey-Westfield (15-8) with 10 points, while Jackson High scored eight, Leighton Jones tossed in seven and Jackson Julius tallied six.

In the third-place game, fifth-seeded Marshall held off a late charge from sixth-seeded Mt. Carmel to score a 55-48 win. Marshall led 14-7 after one quarter, 27-17 at halftime and 37-22 after three quarters, but saw their lead shrink as low as four before hanging on for the win.

Payton McGuire led Marshall (9-11) with 24 points, while Garrett Pugh posted 15, Tucker Osborn scored 10, Tommy Sheehy tallied five and Liam Keim added one.

Shain Meador topped Mt. Carmel (11-12) with 25points, while Elliott Acree contributed eight, Elias Knapp, Wade Keepes and Rhett Andrews scored four points apiece and Lane Alka added three.

Also Friday, seventh-seeded Robinson captured the consolation championship after scoring their second straight upset with a 60-45 victory over fourth-seeded Olney.

Robinson led throughout after scoring the first four points as part of a 9-3 run to start the game. The Maroons led 13-10 after one quarter, then extended their advantage to 29-18 at halftime and 42-30 after three quarters, while leading by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter before settling for the 15-point win.

Cruz Dunlap led Robinson (8-15) with 23 points, while Andrew Sparks contributed 16, Jetson Hoalt recorded nine, Mason Arnone tallied five, Felix Reynolds scored four and Isaac Hardiman added three.

Cooper Hires led Olney (9-15) with 14 points, while Brody Redman tossed in 12, Carsyn Ameter posted 10, Carter Seaman netted three and Owen Kocher, Carson Fox and Reid Brown each recorded two.

There was no seventh place game this year due to the tournament being delayed two days because of the weather.