Quincy, Ill. - Cierra McNamee posted her second consecutive double-double to lead the #9 Illinois Central College women's basketball team to a 72-58 win over John Wood in Region 24/M-WAC action on Saturday afternoon at Mountain Dew Court..  McNamee had 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists while Kyleigh Block had 14 points and 5 rebounds.  Elena Redgate added 11 points for ICC, now 15-7 overall and 4-2 in Region 24/M-WAC play.  

McNamee scored the first six points for the Cougars but JWCC was able to take an 8-6 lead.  The Cougars heated up from three-point range to spark a 15-4 run as Block, Naomi Elliott, and McNamee each cashed in on treys (assists Elliott, Peyton Dearing, and Miya Webb) to surge ahead.  McNamee also had an old-fashioned three-point play and Redgate and Halie Gilbert added buckets to put ICC up 24-12 after one quarter.

The Cougars continued their run into the second period as McNamee and Gilbert each scored in the paint while Redgate dialed in from long-distance for three to stretch the lead to 33-17.  The Blazers drew to within 35-24 but ICC answered with a three-pointer and basket by Block and a Redgate score to take a 46-27 advantage at the half.

ICC started the third quarter with another three-point play from McNamee (assist Dearing) and a jumper from Elliott to stay up 51-32.  But John Wood turned up their pressure to ignite a 10-0 run to pull to within 51-42 but baskets by Block, Laisha Armendariz Lopez, and Gilbert (all coming on assists by Paris Wilson) and free throws by McNamee put ICC back up 63-44 heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter wasn't the prettiest as the Cougars went just 3-18 from the field but it was enough to get the fourteen-point win.  

ICC has picked up a game for this coming Wednesday, Feb. 8 as they will now host Augustana JV at 5:30 pm in Ramsey Gym (this game replaces the game that was canceled back on Dec. 28 from the Cougar Holiday Tournament).  The ICC men's basketball team will follow, playing Bryant & Stratton at 7:30 pm.  

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Cierra McNamee | 21 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists & "I BEAT THE DEAN"
Kyleigh Block | 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Elena Redgate | 11 points, 2 rebounds
Naomi Elliott | 6 points, 4 rebounds
Halie Gilbert | 6 points, 5 rebounds
Peyton Dearing | 4 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
vs. Augustana College JV (0-9) 
Wednesday, February 8th - 5:30 PM
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill.
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