"'Tis the giving season"---and the Illinois Central College women's basketball did just that, dishing out a season-high 31 assists in their 97-53 win over Lake Michigan on Saturday afternoon at Ramsey Gym.  ICC also held the Red Hawks to 34% shooting while nearly reaching the century mark as five players hit double figures in Savannah Orgeron (20 points), Elena Redgate (career-high 15 points), Cora DeSutter & Addi Swadinsky (14 apiece) and Jhanel Coleman (10 points).  It was the Cougars' third consecutive win and moves their record to 6-4 while LMC dropped to 1-4.

"We had another outstanding overall effort," head coach Karrie Redeker.  "Our defense and rebounding were solid which led to transition scores and then we did a great job sharing the basketball.  This week in practice we focused on doing the little things like acknowledging the passer, sprinting to help a teammate up, and huddling more to stay connected.  It was great to see our kids do those things more in the game today."
 
The Cougars had a strong start as Elliott had a steal and layup, Jhanel Coleman a strong drive, and DeSutter got a steal that led to a Swadinsky layup and a 6-2 lead.  A Redgate reverse layup, Paris Wilson drive, and Swadinsky steal and pass to Orgeron for a layup put the Cougars up 12-6.  The defense stayed strong as the Cougars got a DeSutter jumper, Wilson layup, and a Redgate score (assist Imari McDuffy) just before the first quarter buzzer to take a 22-13 advantage.
 
ICC was able to extend the lead in the second quarter highlighted by Orgeron and Swadinsky treys to go up 36-23 midway through the period.  The Cougars continued to get defensive stops and turn them into baskets as Saniya Tutt and Miya Webb scored on transition layups.  DeSutter closed the half with a three-pointer on another McDuffy assist to give ICC a 50-22 halftime edge.
 
The home team continued to coast in the second half as Orgeron kept the nets hot with 11 points while Swadinsky added another three-pointer.  Redgate also added eight second-half points, and when McDuffy hit a jumper from the right wing, all Cougars had reached the scoring column on the afternoon.
 
Final stats saw the Cougars shoot 50% from the field (42-84) and a 5-15 effort from long-distance.  ICC won the battle of the boards 47-33, as Webb and Elliott each pulled down a game-high 8 caroms apiece.  Of the 31 assists, Webb had 6 dimes while McDuffy, Wilson, and Orgeron each had 5 apiece.  The defensive effort was led by Wilson who had 5 steals and DeSutter who had 4.
 
Statistical Leaders
Savannah Orgeron | 20 points, 5 assists
Elena Redgate | 15 points, 7 rebounds, & I BEAT THE DEAN
Cora DeSutter | 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
Addi Swadinsky | 14 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds
Jhanel Coleman | 10 points, 5 rebounds
Naomi Elliott | 9 points, 8 rebounds
Miya Webb | 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 points
Imari McDuffy | 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 points
 
Next up:
Home on Saturday, Dec. 16 vs. Kankakee
1pm tip-off at Ramsey Gym
Livestream:  https://www.youtube.com/@cougarsathletics1354/streams
Audio with Alex:  https://icc-womens-basketball.mixlr.com/