Park Hills, MO - The 17th-ranked Illinois Central College Women's Basketball team suffered a 70-66 loss at the hands of the Division-I Mineral Area Cardinals on Saturday afternoon in non-region action. The Cougars (5-3) led for most of the first three quarters, but allowed the Cardinals (11-2) to explode for 25 fourth quarter points to get the win.

"We did a lot of things well in the first three quarters," coach Karrie Redeker said, "but we really broke down defensively in the fourth when we needed to be the toughest. When you play good teams like this, there's a very small margin of error and we have to figure out how to finish games like this when we have the opportunities. We're certainly capable and will keep on working to find a way." 

Mineral Area took a 4-0 lead to start the game, but the Cougars countered with a 6-0 run of their own on baskets by Kaitlin White, Lily Luczkowiak, and Cora DeSutter for a 6-4 lead. Larissa Taylor nailed a three-pointer from the top fo the key (assist White) and Savannah Orgeron hit a layup on a set play (assist Addi Swadinsky) to give ICC an 18-14 first quarter lead. 

Both teams picked up the intensity on the defensive end in the second quarter, as the game became a defensive battle. Orgeron had two jumpers and Taylor had another basket to put the Cougars ahead 30-27 at the half. 

The Cardinals started the second half on a run to grab a brief 38-36 lead, but Luczkowiak got loose on the interior for back-to-back buckets to put ICC back on top at 40-38. Kamryn Heider nailed a trey (assist Lauren Maas), Swadinsky had a putback and then found Luczkowiak for another basket to give the Cougars a 47-45 edge at the end of three. 

At the start of the fourth, things spiraled quickly, as Mineral Area got out of the blocks red hot, scoring on six straight possessions and ultimately a 12-0 run to start the fourth to take a double digit lead at 57-47. The Cardinals took that momentum and quite literally ran with it, staying in control with solid defense and just enough free throws to secure the tight four-point victory.  

Lily Luczkowiak led the team with 18 points and six rebounds, while Savannah Orgeron had the 27th double figure game of her career, scoring 15 points and bringing in five rebounds.

UNOFFICIAL COUGAR STATISTICS (NO OFFICIAL STATS PROVIDED)
Lauren Maas | 2 points, 1 assist
Addi Swadinsky | 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Kamryn Heider | 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Kaitlin White | 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Savannah Orgeron | 15 points, 5 rebounds, "I Beat the Dean"
Addy Engel | 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Lily Luczkowiak | 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Larissa Taylor | 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Cora DeSutter | 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ Kankakee Cavaliers (1-8 Overall, 0-2 Region 4)
Thursday, December 12th - 5:30 PM CST Tipoff
at Ryan Activities Center - Kankakee, Illinois
Watch Live (YouTube)
Listen Live (Mixlr)