East Peoria, Ill. - The Illinois Central College women's basketball team (18-11, 8-5) suffered a 77-66 loss to the #9 Parkland Cobras (24-3, 12-1) in Region 24/MWAC action at Ramsey Gym on Wednesday night. The Cougars actually won three of the four quarters, but a rough third quarter did enough damage as the Cobras got the win. 

"This was one of our most complete efforts on the season," coach Karrie Redeker said. "Our team is right there; we just need to tighten up a few things, but we can build on this. We'll regroup and get ready for Saturday."

Parkland opened up the game with a 7-2 advantage, but ICC took a 10-9 lead on two baskets each from Cora DeSutter and Elena Redgate, plus free throws from Paris Wilson. The Cobras then went on an 8-0 run to go up 19-10, but the Cougars answered with an 8-0 run of their own on a Savannah Orgeron basket, Imari McDuffy three-pointer, and Wilson layup in transition to go up 20-19. 

ICC kept their un going to start the second quarter with an old-fashioned three-point play from DeSutter to take their biggest lead of the night at 24-19. However, Parkland responded to grab a 28-26 lead before Wilson scored inside (assist McDuffy) and DeSutter had a basket (assist Wilson) as ICC held a halftime lead at 30-28. 

DeSutter, Wilson, and Redgate scored to keep the Cougars ahead at 37-34, but Parkland started scoring from inside and outside and ICC had no answer, as the guests went on a 13-2 run to take a 47-39 lead. The Cougars had chances to make a dent in the deficit, but went only 6-11 from the free throw line in the quarter (compared to the Cobras' 8-8 showing) and Parkland led 60-48 heading into the fourth. 

Jhanel Coleman had a runner in the paint (assist Naomi Elliott), and Addi Swadinsky, McDuffy, and Orgeron added treys, but ICC couldn't string stops and scores together and suffered the loss. 

After shooting 36% in the first half, the Cobras hit on 52% of their shots in the second half to go 44% for the game (28-64) while nailing 4-12 three-pointers. The Cougars hurt themselves at the charity stripe, going just 13-25 (52%) while Parkland went a perfect 17-17. The Cobras held a narrow rebounding edge (43-41), while the Cougars won the bench scoring 36-11. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Paris Wilson | 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, "I Beat the Dean"
Savannah Orgeron | 12 points, 6 rebounds
Cora DeSutter | 11 points, 3 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky | 9 points, 4 rebounds
Jhanel Coleman | 8 points
Imari McDuffy | 6 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Elena Redgate | 6 points, 2 assists 
Saniya Tutt | 1 point, 2 assists

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ John Wood Blazers (15-12, 8-5)
Saturday, March 2nd - 1:00 PM
Student Activities Center - Quincy, Ill.
Watch Live (Team1Sports)