East Peoria, Ill. - Cierra McNamee's season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds led the #15 Illinois Central College women's basketball team to an 81-72 win over Black Hawk on Tuesday night at Ramsey Gym.  The 6'0 forward from Moline High School connected on 13-17 field goals as the Cougars shot 53% from the field for the game.  ICC actually held a near twenty point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but strong hustle by the Braves and lax play from the Cougars made things interesting down the stretch.  

The Cougars raced out to a big 24-7 lead behind a strong defensive effort that limited BHC to just 21% field goal shooting (3-14) in the opening quarter.   Offensively, ICC had a balanced attack as seven players reached the scoring column and Dearing, Miya Webb, and Naomi Elliott each splashed in three-pointers. 

McNamee went to work in the paint in the second period, scoring twelve points and while Dearing added two more trifectas to give ICC a 46-25 advantage at the half.  

McNamee continued her offensive prowess in the third with ten points as the Cougars maintained their big lead to take a 64-43 lead heading into the final period.  

Unfortunately for the Cougars, they went on cruise control in the fourth quarter while the Braves put their engine in overdrive, cutting their deficit to seven behind 53% field goal shooting and forcing ICC into ten turnovers in the quarter.  However, the Cougars had a big enough edge built up to get the win.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Cierra McNamee | 27 points, 10 rebounds
T'yana Lovelace | 13 points, 6 rebounds
Peyton Dearing | 12 points, 6 assists, 1 charge taken
Naomi Elliott | 9 points, 3 assists
Jada Smith | 7 points

I BEAT THE DEAN Hustle Award:  Peyton Dearing 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2022 Palm Beach Classic
@ Erling Gymnasium - Palm Beach, FL
Friday, November 18th, 2022
vs. D1 Indian River State
1PM Central Time Tip-off
Watch Live