Cedar Rapids, IA - The Illinois Central College Women's Basketball team (2-1, 0-0) came up just short against #1 Kirkwood (4-0) on Saturday night, falling 66-58 at the Kirkwood Classic at Johnson Hall. The game was a physical, defensive battle that was tied with as few as four minutes to play, but in the end, the Eagles made a few more plays down the stretch to get the win. 

The final offensive statistics were similar in several areas, as both teams shot an identical 35.7% from the field, made two three-pointers (ICC 2 of 20, Kirkwood 2 of 17), and shot 64% and 63% from the free throw line (ICC 16-25, Kirkwood 24-38). 

"What a great ballgame," coach Karrie Redeker said, adding "it was a heavyweight boxing match with both teams competing extremely hard. We came up a bit short, but we have a lot of positives to build on, and we'll continue to get better." 

Kaitlin White got the Cougars on the board with two layups as the teams played to an eight-all tie. Kamryn Heider nailed a three-pointer, followed by a Savannah Orgeron layup, but the Eagles held a slim 16-13 lead after one. 

ICC converted free throws to catch back up, and then Addy Engel converted an old-fashioned three-point play and layup (assists Lauren Maas) for a 27-20 lead, which would end as the Cougars' largest of the game. Orgeron and Lily Luczkowiak added scores to keep ICC ahead 33-30 at the half. 

The defensive battle continued into the third quarter, as the Cougars managed just one made field goal by Larissa Taylor to go along with an 8-12 effort from the free throw line. ICC's offensive struggles allowed Kirkwood to take control, with the host Eagles going up 50-43 heading into the final frame. 

The Cougars did not give in, and responded with a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter on a Luczkowiak jumper, Heider trey, and Orgeron basket to knot the score at 50-all. The teams traded baskets as Orgeron and Engel scored for a 54-all tie with 4:18 to go. The Eagles answered with two baskets in the final minutes and finished the game out with free throws to preserve a close victory. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Addy Engel | 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Kaitlin White | 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Lily Luczkowiak | 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
Kamryn Heider | 8 points
Savannah Orgeron | 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Cora DeSutter | 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal
Addi Swadinsky | 2 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
Lauren Maas | 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, "I Beat the Dean"
Larissa Taylor | 2 points, 2 rebounds

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ #8 Pima Aztecs (2-1)
at Aztec Gymnasium - Pima, Arizona
Thursday, November 14th - 7PM Tipoff
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