East Peoria, Ill. -  The #19 Illinois Central College women's basketball team lost a 93-88 heartbreaker in overtime at the hands of #9 Lake Land on Wednesday evening in Region 24 & M-WAC action at Ramsey Gym.  The Cougars held the lead for 39 minutes in regulation but Lake Land tied the game with a contested three-pointer with :03.9 seconds to force overtime; ICC then led the first two minutes of the extra period but costly turnovers and timely scoring by LLC allowed them to snatch the win away in the closing minute.  The Blue and Gold shot 53% from the field, dished out 24 assists, and out-rebounded the guests, but the Lakers' hot three-point shooting (18-36 for the game) was ultimately the deciding factor.  ICC drops to 16-9 overall (4-4 in Region 24) while Lake Land improves to 20-5 (7-1 in Region 24). 

"This loss stings a lot as we had several chances to finish them off," coach Karrie Redeker said.  "Yes, they were hot from the perimeter, but you can't let a team make 18 three's on 50% shooting and expect to win.  "But we played with great energy and fortunately there are things we can build on so we'll regroup and look to bounce back."

Peyton Dearing kick-started the Cougars from the get-go, scoring two baskets and dishing out three assists in the early going to give ICC a 14-6 lead.  Naomi Elliott, T'yana Lovelace and Laisha Armendariz Lopez combined for scores to stretch the home team's lead to 23-12 and after a Miya Webb three-pointer, ICC held a 26-15 lead after one quarter.

Kyleigh Block dialed in from long distance and Halie Gilbert added four free throws to open the second period, but the Lakers countered with three treys to stay close at 33-26.  Dearing drew a charge and Lovelace had two old-fashioned three-point plays but LLC stayed hot from long range (tallying 10 total treys in the first half) to stay within 45-38 at intermission.

Gilbert scored on a reverse layup, Elena Redgate had a put-back, and Dearing a strong drive but the Lakers kept close at 55-49.  Block added two scores and Dearing hit a three-pointer, but the Lakers chipped away with steady shooting as ICC was up only 62-60 heading into the final stanza.

The Cougars went up 66-62 on an Elliott put-back and Dearing drive and had chances to extend the lead but missed two bunnies and two free throws, and as had happened all night, the Lakers capitalized with a three-pointer to cut the Cougar lead to 66-65.  Redgate finished in transition (assist Block), Block drove the lane for a layup, and Gilbert had a nice lefty hook but the Cougars were mostly trading two's for three's so the Cougar lead was just 75-71.  

Gilbert hit a jumper but Lake Land nailed a three and had two layups to take their first lead of the game at 78-77 with :53 seconds left in regulation.  The Cougars responded with a Block layup (assist Elliott) to go up 79-78.  Lake Land missed two free throws on the ensuing possession and Elliott drove the paint for a basket which put ICC up 81-78 with :21 seconds remaining in regulation.  However on this night no lead was safe as Lake Land hit their tying three-pointer with :03.9 seconds left.  ICC ran a sideline play but the shot was off the mark, sending the game to overtime.

ICC scored the first four points of the extra session on an Elliott jumper and Dearing layup to go up 85-81 but the Lakers hit two free throws to draw to within 85-83.  The Cougars turned the ball over on the their next two possessions and LLC scored four points in a row to go up 87-85.  Webb answered with a three from the top of the key to put ICC back on top at 88-87 with 1:24 left.  The Cougar defense battled but the Lakers hit a contested step-back three-pointer with just :03 left on their shot clock to take the lead for good at 90-88 with :54 seconds remaining.  ICC turned the ball over on their next two possessions and the Lakers hit free throws for the final margin.  

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Halie Gilbert (16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks)
Peyton Dearing (15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds)
Naomi Elliott (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists)
T'yana Lovelace (12 points, 4 rebounds)
Kyleigh Block (11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists)
I BEAT THE DEAN:  Gilbert & Dearing 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2023 Stronger Together Cancer Awareness Game
vs. (RV) Lincoln Land Loggers (17-6, 4-3)
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill. - 1PM
WATCH LIVE (YouTube)
LISTEN LIVE (Mixlr)