East Peoria, Ill. -  A solid overall team effort helped the #10 Illinois Central College women's basketball team to a 78-45 win over Spoon River in Region 24 & M-WAC action on Saturday afternoon at Ramsey Gym.  The Cougars dominated in nearly every statistical category---holding the Snappers to 30% field goal shooting while dishing out 23 assists to make 29 field goals.  ICC is now 14-6 overall and 3-1 in Region 24/M-WAC play while Spoon River drops to 10-10, 0-5. 

ICC never trailed in this one as Halie Gilbert had three scores to help the Cougars to a 10-6 lead.  Peyton Dearing splashed in a three-pointer and Kyleigh Block added another jumper (assists Gilbert & Naomi Elliott) to go up 18-9 lead after one period.

The Cougars pushed the lead to 26-15 on scores from Laisha Armendariz Lopez and Cierra McNamee midway through the quarter and were able to double up the Snappers by halftime, scoring on 8 of their final 9 possessions to take a 41-20 advantage at recess. During the run, the home team got a variety of contributions as Block had a steal and layup, Miya Webb had a step-back jumper and three-pointer, McNamee had two scores in the paint, and Lopez finished it with a runner in the lane.

The third quarter saw ICC extend their lead to 56-29 on scores from Gilbert, Dearing (five points), McNamee, and a trey from Lopez. 

The Cougars took a 60-38 lead into the fourth period and kept the transition game going as McNamee scored, Paris Wilson had a layup, and Macy Petelin added a basket to coast to the finish.

STATISTICAL LEADERS:
Cierra McNamee | 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 drawn charge
Miya Webb | 11 points, 4 rebounds
Peyton Dearing | 9 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds
Paris Wilson | 9 points, 4 rebounds + "I Beat the Dean"
Laisha Armendariz | 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
vs. #13 Parkland Cobras (17-1, 4-0)
Wednesday, February 1st - 5:30PM
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill.
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