Cedar Rapids, IA - The Illinois Central College Women's Baskteball team (2-0, 0-0) got their second win of the young season with a 69-61 victory over the #25-ranked Des Moines Area Bears on Friday afternoon at the Kirkwood Classic. The Cougars used a stingy defensive effort to take a double-digit lead, only to see the Bears claw back to tie the game midway in the fourth quarter, but a 10-2 ICC run in the final three minutes sealed the Top-25 win for the Cougars. 

"Our kids stuck together and made big plays on both ends in the late stages of the game," coach Karrie Redeker said, adding, "We had great trust in each and that is definitely something we will build on." 

ICC grabbed a 19-12 first quarter lead as six Cougars contributed with scoring. After a baseline jumper by Addy Engel that gave ICC a 25-19 lead at the 3:24 mark, the Cougars went on a 10-0 run thanks to layups by Kaitlin White and Addi Swadinsky and back-to-back three-pointers by White (assists Cora DeSutter). Des Moines Area hit a three-pointer before the buzzer for the 35-22 halftime score. 

The Bears opened the third quarter on an 11-2 run to pull within 37-33 at the 4:56 mark. Savannah Orgeron then drained back-to-back treys to boost the lead back to 43-35, but the Cougars managed only a three-pointer by Kamryn Heider the remaining four minutes and took a narrow 46-44 lead into the final frame. 

Two layups by Lily Luczkowiak helped ICC stay ahead, but Des Moines Area pulled even at 57-all with just over four minutes remaining. Heider found Engel for a layup, and Luczkowiak added two free throws for a 61-59 lead. Engel and Heider each knifed through the Bear defense for layups, giving ICC a 65-59 advantage. Swadinsky had two blocks on the fourth quarter, plus Orgeron and Heider closed out the game with free throws for the win.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kaitlin White | 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Addy Engel | 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, "I Beat the Dean"
Larissa Taylor | 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Savannah Orgeron | 10 points
Kamryn Heider | 7 points, 3 rebounds
Lily Luczkowiak | 6 points, 7 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky | 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Cora DeSutter | 3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Lauren Maas | 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists

FUN FACTS ABOUT ICC VS. KIRKWOOD
- The two programs have combined to win 15 National Championships
- ICC and Kirkwood combined for 2,658 All-Time Program Wins
- Kirkwood is also a long-time participant in the annual ICC Holiday Tournament in December

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ #1 Kirkwood Eagles (3-0)
Saturday, November 9th - 8:00 PM
at Johnson Hall - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Watch Live (ICCAC Sports Network)
Listen Live (Mixlr)