East Peoria, Ill. - Cierra McNamee's 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 steals helped the #14 Illinois Central College women's basketball team to an 81-69 victory over #18 Kansas City Kansas CC on Saturday afternoon at Ramsey Gym.  McNamee's caroms helped the Cougars to a whopping 47-24 rebounding edge (17 offensive boards) while the Cougar bench outscored KCK's 31-17.  Freshman guard Miya Webb had a career high 14 points and Peyton Dearing and Laisha Armendariz Lopez each added 11 points to help get the win.

"This was a gritty performance by our team," head coach Karrie Redeker said.  "We talked this week about competing harder and each player 'emptying her tank' and our kids responded to the challenge.  We loved our effort on the boards and the way the kids worked together to make plays."  

ICC established a strong rebounding presence as Halie Gilbert scored on a put-back on the very first possession, followed by two McNamee scores and a Kyleigh Block three-pointer (assist Gilbert) as ICC went up 9-4.  McNamee scored inside off a feed from Jada Smith followed by two treys from Webb (assists Armendariz Lopez) as ICC held a 21-15 lead after the first period.

Lopez hit Elena Redgate for a jumper to open the second but KCK went on a run to pull to within 24-21.  The Cougars responded with a Gilbert basket, a Webb put-back, and a Block steal which led to a Webb layup as ICC went back up 30-23 midway through the quarter.  Smith kept things rolling with two assists---one to Macy Petelin and another to Lopez for a three-pointer from the top of the key as ICC took a 39-30 advantage into recess.

McNamee scored the first five Cougar points to open the third quarter, but KCK continued to keep it tight at 44-38.  The home team then went on an 8-0 run as the defense dug in to force four Blue Devil turnovers while on the offensive end Naomi Elliott hit a trey (assist Webb) and Dearing found McNamee inside on a nifty pass to give ICC a 51-38 lead.  Lopez added an old-fashioned three-point play and Dearing hit a trey at the buzzer (assist Elliott) as the Cougars took a 62-47 lead into the final stanza.

KCK turned up the defensive pressure to keep ICC off-balance and force several turnovers but the Cougar defense and two big three-pointers by Dearing (assists Webb) helped ICC maintain a 73-56 lead with 4:16 to play.   Two offensive put-backs by McNamee and a Gilbert bucket (assist McNamee) helped ICC close out the game and move their record to 6-3 overall.

LEADERS
Cierra McNamee | 18 points, 15 rebounds, 3 steals
Miya Webb | 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Peyton Dearing | 11 points, 4 rebounds
Laisha Armendariz Lopez | 11 points, 3 assists, 1 charge taken
Kyleigh Block | 8 points, 3 steals
Halie Gilbert | 8 rebounds, 6 points

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ D1 Rend Lake Warriors (7-3)
Monday, December 12th - 5:30 PM
Waugh Gym - Ina, Illinois
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