East Peoria, Ill. - The Illinois Central College women's basketball team opens post-season play on Wednesday, March 8 as they host Lincoln Land at 6pm in Ramsey Gym in Region 24 quarter-final action.  The Cougars were given the #4 seed after a coin flip decided between them & Danville (each had 7-5 records in Region 24 play while splitting their home and away series and both losing twice to Lake Land and Parkland) that DACC would be the 3rd seed and the Cougars the 4th, thereby hosting #5 Lincoln Land. 

"Our team has had a lot of ups and downs over the course of the season as most teams do," coach Karrie Redeker said, "We're ready to continue to play with confidence and and work together as we have been doing down the stretch."

The Cougars defeated John Wood 82-52 on Sophomore Day in Ramsey Gym last Saturday and were happy to have the services of 6'0 forward Cierra McNamee back in the lineup.  McNamee had been sidelined with an injury since February 11 and posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in her return.  She is averaging 17 ppg and 7.5 rpg while ranking 7th in the NJCAA in field goal percentage at 59.6%.  

ICC has a variety of weapons around McNamee, including guard Peyton Dearing who adds 10 ppg and a team-leading 3.8 apg.  Dearing also leads the team in three-pointers made with 36 and helps spearhead the defensive effort with her quickness and tenacity.  6'1 forward Halie Gilbert has also been a key cog for the Cougars, averaging 9.4 ppg and 7.1 ppg.

Lincoln Land will counter with freshman forward Marley Smith, who is a 5'10 workhorse inside and on the boards, averaging 16 ppg and 9 rpg while shooting 52% from the field.  Guard Addison Scarlette adds 13 ppg and 2.7 apg while Kiersten Taylor adds 8.3 ppg and has a team-leading 23 three-pointers for the Loggers.

The winner of Wednesday's contest will face #1 seed Lake Land, who earned a first-round bye and is also the Region 24 tourney semi-final and championship game host (based on a rotational basis).  The first semi-final game will be at 2pm on Saturday in Mattoon, with the second semi-final being played at 4pm.  The championship game is Sunday, March 12 at 2pm, with the winner advancing to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament on March 21-25 in Port Huron, MI.

Wednesday night's game vs. Lincoln Land will be shown on the ICC Athletics YouTube.  Alex Staab will do an audio-only broadcast at https://icc-womens-basketball.mixlr.com/.

Wednesday, March 8 Region 24 Women's Basketball Tournament Schedule
Bye - #1 Lake Land
#4 Illinois Central vs. #5 Lincoln Land in East Peoria at 6pm
#2 Parkland vs. #7 Spoon River in Champaign at 5:30 pm
#3 Danville vs. #6 John Wood in Danville at 6pm

Saturday, March 11 Semi-finals at Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL
2pm:  #1 Lake Land vs. Winner of #4 Illinois Central/Lincoln Land
4pm:  Winner of #2 Parkland/#7 Spoon River vs. Winner of #3 Danville vs. #6 John Wood

Sunday, March 12 Championship at Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL
2pm:  Championship    -   Winner advances to NJCAA DII National Tournament in Port Huron, MI on March 21-25

Click here for full tournament bracket:  /documents/2023/3/7/2023_WBB_Region_Tourney_Bracket.xlsx