East Peoria, Ill. - Elena Redgate, Savannah Orgeron, Saniya Tutt, Imari McDuffy, and Paris Wilson provided the boost the Illinois Central College women's basketball team (9-4) needed in a 78-65 win over Bryant and Stratton (WI) (8-6).  The five-some combined to provide 53 Cougar points, 21 rebounds, and 8 assists off the bench to advance ICC to the Cougar Holiday Tourney championship on Saturday.  The Cougars, who have won six straight, will face Region 24 rival and #9 ranked Lake Land, who defeated #1 Kirkwood in the other winner's bracket semi-final on Friday at Ramsey Gym in the 42^nd annual Cougar Holiday Tourney.

Bryant & Stratton jumped to a 7-2 lead when Redgate got an old-fashioned three-point play to get things going in ICC's favor.  Along with free throws, a Tutt baseline drive and a McDuffy three-ball in transition helped the ICC grab a 17-15 lead after one quarter.

The Cougars took control in the second period as Naomi Elliott nailed a trey (assist Redgate) followed by baskets from Savannah Orgeron, Addi Swadinsky, and Redgate for a 26-17 advantage.  Orgeron then splashed in a long-distance bomb (assist Webb) as ICC stayed ahead 29-21 at the four-minute mark.  The defense locked in, holding the Bobcats to just five points over the next five minutes while the offense stayed clicking.  Elliott had a crafty reverse layup, Redgate scored two baskets (assists Wilson), McDuffy bagged another three, and Orgeron and Wilson scored on assists by Miya Webb to open up a commanding 45-26 halftime lead.

ICC stayed in control to open the third as Orgeron scored six points on designed plays and Webb had an old fashioned three-point play.  A Cora DeSutter scored on a drive and a put-back along with a Wilson basket which gave ICC a 63-46 lead heading into the fourth.  BSC kept battling but ICC kept the guests at bay thanks to scores from Redgate and DeSutter. 

ICC FINAL STATISTICS
Webb (6 assists, 5 points), Swadinsky (6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), Elliott (5 points, 4 rebounds), Coleman (4 points, 3 rebounds), DeSutter (8 rebounds, 6 points), McDuffy (7 rebounds, 6 points, 2 assists), Tutt (7 points), Wilson (6 points), Orgeron (14 points), Redgate (career-high 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists)

I BEAT THE DEAN: 
Miya Webb, Naomi Elliott, Miya Webb
 
OTHER SCORES FROM FRIDAY
Black Hawk def. Joliet, 83-52
BHC Scoring Leaders
Andrea Lopreato (22)
JJC Scoring Leaders
Grace Harris (20), Kiyah Robertson (16)

#19 Palm Beach State def. McHenry County, 93-65
PBC Scoring Leaders
Bree Williams (20), Taylor Blackshear (16), Savannah McAfee (16), Ashley Thornton (13)
MCC Scoring Leaders
Macy Madsen (24), Maddie Scharrenberg (23)

#9 Lake Land def. #1 Kirkwood, 64-62
LLC Scoring Leaders
Katelyn Littleton (16), Sydney Richards (14)
KCC Scoring Leaders
Demetria Prewitt (20), Jenna Twedt (11)

OTHER SATURDAY GAMES
10AM | 7th Place Game | Joliet Wolves vs. McHenry County Scots
12PM | Consolation Championship | #19 Palm Beach State vs. Black Hawk Braves
2PM | 3rd Place Game | #1 Kirkwood Eagles vs. Bryant & Stratton (WI) Bobcats

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
ICC Holiday Tournament Championship
vs. #9 Lake Land Lakers (12-3)
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill.
Saturday, December 30th - 4PM
Watch Live (YouTube)
Listen Live (Mixlr)