East Peoria, Ill. - Perhaps one of the better regular season crowds of 2023-24 filed into Ramsey Gym to see the ICC women's basketball team (9-5) battle against Region 24 foe and #9-ranked Lake Land (13-3) in the championship game of the 42nd Annual ICC Holiday Tournament. The Cougars should shoot 29% from the field and 10-19 from the free throw line, while the Lakers, eventually winners by a 65-49 final score, hit at a 44% clip from the field. 

"The last couple of weeks we've been playing with great energy---especially on the defensive end, but for some reason we didn't have that today and it hurt us," coach Karrie Redeker said.  "We'll take a few days off and then refresh and get ready to be better when we come back in January."

Lake Land took control from the start with a 9-1 lead and held a 15-9 first quarter lead as only Miya Webb and Savannah Orgeron had field goals.  

The Cougars drew to within 19-16 as Webb nailed a three-pointer on a set play, Jhanel Coleman scored inside, and Naomi Elliott had a rebound putback.  Despite an Elena Redgate three-pointer, the Lakers closed the half on a run and took a 30-21 halftime lead.

Webb scored on a drive on the opening possession in the third, Elliott sank a jumper, and Cora DeSutter had a putback but Lake Land still held a 39-29 lead midway through the period.  The Cougars closed the deficit to 39-35 on two Coleman scores and a rebound putback by Addi Swadinsky but the Lakers again responded, taking a 43-36 lead into the fourth.  Lake Land stayed on the attack, nailing four treys in the final stanza to open a double-digit lead and cruise to the finish.

Final stats showed Lake Land hitting on nine three-pointers (9-23 overall) while ICC went 3-16.

COUGAR STATISTICAL LEADERS
Savannah Orgeron | 13 points, 5 rebounds
Miya Webb | 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, "I Beat the Dean"
Jhanel Coleman | 7 points, 4 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky | 5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

OTHER SATURDAY SCORES
7th Place Game | Joliet def. McHenry County, 65-55
Consolation Championship | #19 Palm Beach State def. Black Hawk, 89-59
3rd Place Game | #1 Kirkwood def. Bryant & Stratton, 70-66

2023 ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
#9 LAKE LAND | Sydney Richards, Katelyn Littleton
ICC COUGARS | Elena Redgate, Savannah Orgeron
#1 KIRKWOOD | Demetria Prewitt, Emily Dreckman
BRYANT & STRATTON | Trishena Brown
#19 PALM BEACH STATE | Taylor Blackshear
BLACK HAWK | Andrea Lopreato
JOLIET | Grace Harris

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2024 "Rumble at the Rock" Event
@ #5 Rock Valley Golden Eagles (16-0)
at Physical Education Center - Rockford, Ill.
Saturday, January 6th, 2024 - 1:45 PM
Watch Live ($) (JustAGame Live)
Listen Live (Free) (Mixlr)