East Peoria, Ill.---Sophomore center Keijah Gray had a career high 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the #4 ICC women's basketball team to an 84-48 victory over Grand Rapids CC on Friday night in the Cougar Classic at Ramsey Gym.  Gray, the 6'2 center from Belleville West High School, hit on 7-11 field goals while pulling down eight offensive boards to help give the Cougars a 44-29 rebounding edge.  ICC's defense also stymied the Raiders' offense, holding them to just 30% field goal shooting on the night.

Laisha Armendariz-Lopez set the tone for the defense as she took a charge two minutes into the game and Gray scored nine points in the first quarter to help the Cougars open to a 21-5 lead.  ICC kept the momentum going on a Courtney Jones feed to Kristyn Mitchell and then a Dayja Evans pass for a Jones basket put the Cougars up 25-5.  Kyleigh Block added a three-pointer (assist Armendariz-Lopez) and Evans finished the half with five points to give ICC a 44-17 halftime lead.

The Raiders (0-2) picked up their scoring in the third quarter to close the gap at 58-38, but the hosts did a better job of moving the ball in the fourth quarter against the Raider zone to pick the scoring back up for the final margin.

Leaders:
Keijah Gray 18 pts,13 reb
Kristyn Mitchell 12 pts
Dayja Evans 10 pts, 5 reb
Cierra McNamee 9 pts
Courtney Jones 8 pts, 6 asts, 4 reb
Laisha Armendariz-Lopez 7 pts, 5 reb, 4 asts

Other:  Game 1 of the Classic saw #3 Kirkwood defeat #6 Parkland 72-50.

 Next up:  The Cougar Classic continues as ICC, now 2-2, will host #3 Kirkwood (4-0) on Saturday, November 13 at 2pm at Ramsey Gym at Alumni Day.  All ICC WBB are welcome to return for the game and will be recognized at halftime.  Game 1 of the day will be at 12pm between Parkland and Grand Rapids.  The ICC men will play at 4pm as they host Rend Lake.