Decatur, Ill. - A big fourth quarter helped the #10 Illinois Central College women's basketball team (13-6, 2-1) to a 72-56 win over Millikin University JV in non-conference action on Wednesday night at the Griswold Center. The Cougars finally pulled away from the Big Blue in the final period, outscoring them 22-7 as Cierra McNamee had 18 points, Naomi Eliiott added a career-high 17 points (including 4-4 from three-point range) and six assists, and Halie Gilbert stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals.

Kyleigh Block scored on the opening tip to get ICC rolling (assist Gilbert), and a trey from Elliott and inside basket by McNamee gave ICC an early 8-3 lead, however, the Big Blue countered with four three-pointers to tie the game at 18-all after one quarter. 

Millikin JV hit two more treys to start the second stanza to grab the lead at 25-22, but after a timeout, the Cougars went on a 14-2 run to grab a 36-27 advantage. Highlights during the run were two McNamee scores (assists Elliott and Peyton Dearing), and Elliott jumper (assist Gilbert), and an old-fashioned three-point play by Paris Wilson. Miya Webb added a nice finish in the paint to help ICC take a 39-30 lead into the half.

In the third, McNamee, Block, and Laisha Armendariz all scored to keep the Cougar lead at 46-37, but the home team went on a run to grab a 50-49 lead headed to the fourth. 

The Cougars openened the fourth quarter in perfect homage to their season moniker of "All Gas, No Brakes", going on a 17-2 spurt on back-to-back treys from Elliott (assists Gilbert and Block), an Elena Redgate run-out (assist McNamee), and three straight scores from Gilbert (two assists by Redgate and one from Block) to go up 66-52 and take control.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Cierra McNamee | 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
Naomi Elliott | 17 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Halie Gilbert | 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks + "I Beat the Dean"
Kyleigh Block | 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals

NEXT UP FOR THE COUGARS
vs. Spoon River Snappers (10-8, 0-3)
Saturday, January 28th - 1PM
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill.
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