The Illinois Central College women's basketball team used a stellar defensive effort to cruise to a 76-43 win over Kankakee Community College on Saturday afternoon at Ramsey Gym.  The Cougars held the Cavs to just 23% shooting and had a 49-32 rebounding advantage in getting their fourth consecutive win to move their record to 7-4 and head into Christmas break.

The first half was a defensive battle as both teams were plagued by poor shooting and turnovers but Cora DeSutter got the Cougars on the board on a feed from Addi Swadinsky.  Imari McDuffy found Elena Redgate in transition and then Redgate returned the favor by hitting McDuffy for a field goal to help give ICC an 11-4 first quarter edge.

A DeSutter put-back and drives by Miya Webb and Naomi Elliott put ICC up 17-11 but the Cavs stayed close due to Cougar miscues.  Saniya Tutt had a nifty Euro-step for a layup and McDuffy nailed a trey (assist Webb) to give the Cougars a 26-21 lead at intermission.  

The third quarter was a fun one as Elliott hit Webb for a three-pointer and got the Cougars to play more freely.  DeSutter scored on a put-back and Addi Swadinsky hit Tutt for an open baseline jumper that gave the Cougars their first double-digit lead.  After two scores by Coleman gave ICC a 37-24 lead, Savannah Orgeron and Redgate combined to score the next 16 Cougar points on shots in transition and in and around the paint to go up 53-27.  A McDuffy layup and two drives from Elliott pushed the lead to 60-30 and the Cougars rolled to the finish.

Final stats showed ICC handing out 25 assists while Tutt & DeSutter each took a charge.   

Statistical Leaders
Savannah Orgeron - 12 points, 5 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky, 11 rebounds, 7 points, 6 assists
Elena Redgate - 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Jhanel Coleman - 9 points, 6 rebounds
Saniya Tutt - 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 charge taken
Cora DeSutter - 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 charge taken
Naomi Elliott - 8 points, 5 rebounds
Imari McDuffy - 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Miya Webb - 5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists

Co-I BEAT THE DEAN:  Imari McDuffy and Saniya Tutt 

Next up:  
42^nd Annual Cougar Holiday Tourney at Ramsey Gym - Dec. 28-30
Thursday, Dec. 28 vs. McHenry County at 6pm
Livestream:  https://www.youtube.com/@cougarsathletics1354/streams

Audio with Alex:  https://icc-womens-basketball.mixlr.com/