East Peoria, IL - For any fans that made their way into Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium on Wednesday night to see the 14th-ranked Illinois Central College Women's Basketball team (12-4, 3-0) take on the fifth-ranked Lincoln Land Loggers (16-1, 2-1), they may have struggled to find a seat, as it was packed in two see two teams battle it out, entering the game unbeaten in Region play. The Cougars out-scored the Loggers 28-9 in the final quarter thanks in part to Addy Engel's 10 fourth quarter points and solid team defense and rebounding. 

Lily Luczkowiak led the way with 20 points (including 13 in the first half), while the Cougar bench also played a huge role, out-scoring Lincoln Land's bench 26-13 and out-rebounding the Loggers.

"We showed great resiliency to get this win," head coach Karrie Redeker said. "We played from behind most of the night, but stayed true to our 'so what, now what' philosophy, making every effort to play the next play and pick each other up, which paid huge dividends. This was definitely a team win, as everyone had a hand in it." 

The Cougars took a bit to get going at the start, as they trailed 6-0, but two baskets by Luczkowiak and a reverse layup by Addi Swadinsky got ICC on the board. A Lauren Maas backdoor layup and five points by Savannah Orgeron kept the Cougars close as they trailed 18-15 after one quarter. 

Luczkowiak carried most of the scoring load with nine points in the frame to go along with a Gracie Heckert three-pointer, but Lincoln Land took a 37-25 lead. A Luczkowiak putback and Swadinsky runner in the lane just before the halftime buzzer sounded kept the Cougars within striking distance at 37-29 at intermission. 

Larissa Taylor provided a scoring punch with eight points to start the third to pull ICC to within 42-39 at the six-minute mark, but the Loggers tightened up their defense and allowed just an Emily Dana runner and eight ICC free throws, as Lincoln Land held a 60-51 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. 

A Luczkowiak drive got the offense going, and then Engel took over, going on a personal 6-0 run to pull the Cougars to within 62-60 with just over six minutes to play. Cora DeSutter then came up with a huge offensive board for an old-fashioned three-point play to give ICC a 63-62 lead. The Loggers scored on their next possession, but a baseline drive by Swadinsky and a Luczkowiak and-one on an offensive rebound kept the Cougars in front, 68-64. 

Engel hit two free throws, and then Swadinsky intercepted a Lincoln Land pass and hit Kamryn Heider for a layup and a 72-66 lead with just over two minutes left. Orgeron added a score, and Swadinsky found Engel for a reverse and a 76-69 lead for some breathing room and ICC finished the game off with free throws for the win. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Lily Luczkowiak | 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Addy Engel | 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks
Larissa Taylor | 9 points, 5 blocks, 5 rebounds
Savannah Orgeron | 8 points, 3 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky | 6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Kamryn Heider | 6 points
Cora DeSutter | 5 points, 6 rebounds
Gracie Heckert | 3 points
Lauren Maas | 2 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds
Emily Dana | 2 points, 4 rebounds
Madison Jobe | 2 points

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
6th Annual "Stronger Together" Game
vs. #7 Lake Land Lakers (14-3, 3-0)
at Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, IL
Saturday, January 18th - 1:00 PM
Watch Live (HUDL-TV)

WHAT IS THE STRONGER TOGETHER GAME?
Saturday will be the Sixth Annual "Stronger Together" Cancer Awareness Game.

It was first initiated during the 2018-2019 season. "Stronger Together" was also the team's 'theme' that had been adapted by the sophomore team members that year, as Coach Karrie Redeker was amidst a breast cancer battle herself. 

Fans are encouraged to wear shirts of any color that celebrates survivorship, support those fighting the fight, and honor the memory of those lost.