If the Wabash Valley College men's basketball team has indeed been reduced to the role of Great Rivers Athletic Conference spoiler, they certainly aren't wasting any time. Playing with their tallest inside player, 6-foot-9 Phillip Jackson, for the first time in seven weeks, WVC snapped a 7-game losing streak with an 80-74 upset of league-leading Lake Land on Wednesday night at Spencer Sports Center.

"It's good to get the monkey off our back," said Warrior coach Dan Sparks after the win "We've been in all those games, we just haven't been able to finish them. Finally tonight we put it all together."

Jackson played 13 minutes before fouling out, but still scored 10 points and pulled down five rebounds for WVC (7-10, 2-5 in GRAC). Jackson's inside play seemed to open things up more for Rontray Chavis, who led the Warriors with 22 points.

Lake Land (14-4,6-1) got 20 points from Harold McBride.

With a 2-5 GRAC record, Sparks is realistic. "We're not going to win the conference," he said. Yet, he's hopeful that once back at full strength, the Warriors can gain some late-season momentum and "do something in the tournament."

•The Lady Warriors, nationally ranked for the first time all year (23rd), were part of a three-way tie for the top spot in the GRAC, with Lake Land and Kaskaskia, when the night began. WVC, winners of seven straight, now has the lead all to itself after a come-from-behind, 62-58 overtime win over the Lakers. Kaskaskia won a non-conference game against Shawnee.

WVC (11-5, 6-1) was dragged into overtime on a 3-point field goal by Lake Land's Faith Wendte with 20 seconds left in regulation that tied the game at 52-all. Then, in the extra stanza, the Lakers built a 58-54 lead before the Warriors scored the final eight points of the game

"We didn't panic" when down in OT, said Lady Warriors coach Zach Loll. "We were able to adjust."

Giorgia Stringer paced WVC with 18 points. Lauren Bogle led Lake Land (15-5, 5-2) with 21 points.