East Peoria, Ill. - The Illinois Central College women's basketball team (15-9 Overall, 5-3 MWAC/Region 24) used a strong team effort to defeat Danville Area (14-9 Overall, 3-5 MWAC/Region 24) 88-49 on Saturday afternoon in Ramsey Gym. The Cougars dished out 25 assists (ties the season-high), placed five players in double figures, and won nearly every statistical category to get the win. Cora DeSutter just missed a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds, Saniya Tutt nearly had a career-high with 12 points, Imari McDuffy had a career-high nine assists, while all 10 Cougars scored in the contest.

"This game felt like ICC basketball with the way we shared the ball and played with great energy," Head Coach Karrie Redeker said. "Our kids moved the ball well against their zone in the first half and we hit some shots, and we also got some scores as a result of our press. Then, in the second half, we continued the defensive effort and stayed after it."

DeSutter scored on two offensive putbacks to get ICC going, with Naomi Elliott and Elena Redgate adding scores, as the teams played to a 9-9 tie in the opening minutes. Addi Swadinsky got two steals which resulted in her own layup and one from Miya Webb to go along with a Savannah Orgeron three-pointer (assist Paris Wilson) as the Cougars went up 18-14. 

Orgeron and Wilson hit back-to-back treys and Jhanel Coleman added a jumper (assists Swadinsky) to open up a 40-24 lead with just under three minutes to go until half. Swadinsky, DeSutter, and Coleman added layups to put the Cougars up 46-26 at the break. 

The Cougars were able to double up the Jaguars at 56-28 on DeSutter and Redgate scores early in the third. The defense stayed tough, limiting Danville Area to just 4-19 shooting in the quarter, allowing the Cougars to stretch their lead, as McDuffy hit Wilson for a transition layup, and Tutt had a steal plus a layup just before the third quarter horn to give ICC a 66-36 lead. The Cougars continued to coast in the fourth quarter, as Webb and Tutt nailed two more treys and Wilson, Orgeron, Coleman, and Redgate each added baskets. 

Final stats showed the Cougars shooting 49% from the field (34-70), 7-21 from three-point range (33%), and 13-14 (93%) from the free throw line. ICC won the battle of the boards (44-37) and won bench scoring (45-10), while holding Danville Area to 31% field goal shooting. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Cora DeSutter | 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, "I Beat the Dean"
Saniya Tutt | 12 points, 2 rebounds
Jhanel Coleman | 12 points, 4 rebounds
Paris Wilson | 11 points
Miya Webb | 10 points, 2 assists
Elena Redgate | 8 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Savannah Orgeron | 8 points, 6 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky | 4 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals
Imari McDuffy | 2 points, 9 assists (career-high), 4 rebounds
Naomi Elliott | 2 points 4 rebounds, 3 assists

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ #20 Lake Land Lakers (18-6 Overall, 5-3 Region 24)
Lake Land College Fieldhouse - Mattoon, Ill. 
Wednesday, February 14th - 5:30 PM Tipoff
Watch Live (BoxCast)
Listen Live (Mixlr)