East Peoria, Ill. - It's not how you start, it's how you finish. At least, that's how the saying goes. Perhaps that's the best way to surmise #10 Illinois Central College women's basketball team's thrilling 72-69 home win over region rival and sixth-ranked Lake Land to finish in third place at the 41st Annual ICC Holiday Tournament on Friday afternoon.

OUT OF THE GATES SLOW
#10 ICC's offense got off to a bit of a slower start than desired with just seven points by quarter's end, going just 2-11 from the field (18%) and 0-5 from three. The Lakers on the other hand, shot 6-10 from the field (60%) and 3-4 from three (75%). It led to just a single-digit quarter to start for ICC, and a 15-7 deficit.

SECOND QUARTER RESURGENCE
Just like Thursday's semifinal against #3 CCBC Essex, the Cougars found themselves breathing new life in the second quarter. So much so, they nearly made (8) as many shots as they attempted (11) in the first quarter, so certainly a quality starting point. The Lakers kept pace right with the ICC, once again with a +50% shooting quarter. ICC's first 20+ point second quarter came at a perfect time, and had them within seven points of Lake Land (36-29) at halftime. 

NOT OUT OF THE LAKE WATER JUST YET
The Lakers responded well out of the halftime locker room, tying their best offensive output for the game. ICC's shooting dipped back down below 40% (35.7% to be exact), and with just 10 minutes remaining, holding a mark just shy of the game's largest lead at 57-43. 

HOLDING ON
T'yana Lovelace scored on the first possession of the fourth on a step-through move in the lane to get ICC off on the right foot, but the Lakers countered with two baskets to stay up 61-45.  Naomi Elliott swiped a steal and then hit a three-pointer (assist Peyton Dearing) to draw ICC to within 61-48.  Dearing then converted an old-fashioned three-point play to make the score 61-53, the first single-digit margin in the second half. Dearing then found Halie Gilbert for a basket and Cierra McNamee hit a jumper, cutting the Laker lead to 61-57.  The Lakers hit a shot just before the shot clock buzzer to go up 63-57, but the Cougar defense forced two turnovers and Elliott buried a trey from the right corner and Miya Webb hit Gilbert inside to draw ICC to within 63-62 with just under 3:00 remaining.  Gilbert snagged a steal and passed to Dearing who found McNamee for a layup to give ICC their first lead a 64-63.  On the next possession, Dearing grabbed another steal and turned that into a layup to give ICC a 64-63 advantage with just over 1:00 to play.  After a Laker free throw made the score 66-64, McNamee hit Gilbert for a bucket to put ICC up 68-64.  LLC converted a layup to draw to within 68-66 with 28.9 seconds remaining.  ICC hit one of two free throws to go up 69-66 and the Lakers came down and missed a three-pointer and had to foul.  The Cougars again made one of two to go up 70-66 but Lake Land hit a three-pointer with 5.6 seconds left to pull to within 70-69.  Dearing hit two free throws as ICC went ahead 72-69 with 5.6 seconds.  A Lake Land three-pointer fell just short at the buzzer, giving the Cougars the comeback win over the #6 ranked Lakers.  ICC's record is now 8-5.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Cierra McNamee | 18 points, 10-12 free throws, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Peyton Dearing | 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Halie Gilbert | 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 1 assist
Elena Redgate | 9 points, 1 assist, 1 steal
Naomi Elliott | 8 points, 3 steals, 1 assist
Jada Smith | 7 points, 1 assist, 1 steal
I BEAT THE DEAN HUSTLE AWARD:  The entire Cougar team

Congrats to Cierra McNamee and Halie Gilbert who were named to the 10-member all-tournament team.  A full list along with Friday's game scores appear below.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2022 "Rumble at the Rock"
@ #11 Rock Valley Golden Eagles (13-3)
Saturday, January 7th, 2023 - 1:45 PM
@ Physical Education Center - Rockford, Ill.
Watch Live (Just A Game)
Listen Live (Mixlr)

FRIDAY TOURNEY RESULTS
Championship:  #3 CCBC 59, #1 Kirkwood 54
3rd Place:  #10 Illinois Central 72, #6 Lake Land 69
5th Place:  #13 Bryant & Stratton 68, (RV) Black Hawk 57
7th Place:  North Iowa Area 76, South Suburban 68

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Faith Blackstone, CCBC Essex
Cassandra Hawthorne, CCBC Essex
Anasia Staton, CCBC Essex
Tasia Jordon, Kirkwood
Kaylee Corbin, Kirkwood
Cierra McNamee, Illinois Central
Halie Gilbert, Illinois Central
Katelyn Littleton, Lake Land
Lacyia Hill, Bryant & Stratton
Khloe Damm, Black Hawk