East Peoria, IL - Lily Luczkowiak's 27 points led the #3 Illinois Central College to an exciting 62-60 win over #2 Kirkwood to win the Cougar Holiday Tournament at Ramsey Gym on Tuesday evening. Luczkowiak's 7-10 effort from the field and 9-12 showing from the charity stripe provided the offensive punch ICC needed, helping ICC win their first CHT title since 2021. The Cougar defense also came up big, stymieing the Eagles' offense over the final three quarters by holding them to just 14-48 field goal shooting (29%) and forcing 21 turnovers.

"This was a battle," coach Karrie Redeker said. "Kirkwood came out and punched us right in the mouth but we dug in on defense and slowly got back in it. We're so proud of our kids for showing great resiliency, sticking together, and finding a way to win. Lily put us on her back on the offensive end while our team defense was outstanding after the first quarter." 

ICC's record improved to 13-1, while Kirkwood suffered their first loss and fell to 12-1. 

The Cougars couldn't have gotten off to a worse start as Kirkwood bolted out to a 12-3 lead by the 6:13 mark. Kam Heider's jumper, Luczkowiak layup in transition (assist Hannah West), and Kaitlin White's three-pointer got ICC going, but Kirkwood stayed in high gear to grab a 22-10 lead after one period. 

ICC opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run ignited by a Luczkowiak steal and layup, Engel score, and Luczkowiak old-fashioned three-point play to cut the Eagle lead to 22-17. The Cougars drew even at 31-all on a Larissa Taylor jumper, Luczkowiak trey, and two baskets by Maziah Shelton but Kirkwood closed the half on a run to open their lead back up to 36-31 at intermission.

Kirkwood scored on their opening possession of the second half but the Cougars erased their deficit with a 12-0 run as Ellie VanMeenen hit a trey, Engel had a steal and layup, Taylor had two jumpers and Heider connected on a trio of free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer to give ICC their first lead at 43-38 midway through the quarter. White then hit a trey and Hannah West scored on a layup (assist A'Meah Lester) but Kirkwood rallied to go up 50-49. The Cougars stopped Kirkwood on their final offensive possession of the third, with Luczkowiak grabbing the defensive rebound with :03 seconds and attempting a three-quarter court desperation heave at the buzzer. She was fouled and made two of three free throws for a 50-49 Cougar lead heading into the fourth. 

The Cougar defense dug their heels in to start the final stanza, holding Kirkwood scoreless until the 4:55 mark. Meanwhile, Luczkowiak converted another old-fashioned three-point play and Engel drilled a jumper to put ICC ahead 56-49. However, Kirkwood went on a run to tie the game at 58-all on a three-pointer with 1:06 to play.
 
VanMeenen then scored the go-ahead bucket on a drive to the hoop for a 60-58 ICC lead with :35 seconds to play. The Cougars got a defensive stop and made one free throw to go up 61-58 before Kirkwood made a driving layup with :09 left, trimming ICC's lead to 61-60. The Cougars made another free throw and managed one final stop as Kirkwood's layup at the buzzer rimmed off the mark.

OFFICIAL BOX
Heider (5 pts, 4 reb), Engel (6 pts, 4 reb, 3 stl), VanMeenen (5 pts, 3 ast), Luczkowiak (24 pts, 5 reb), Taylor (9 reb, 7 pts), Lester (2 stls), West (3 pts, 2 ast), White (8 pts, 3 reb), Shelton (8 reb, 4 pts)

I BEAT THE DEAN: Lily Luczkowiak

NEXT UP: The Cougars will begin Region 24/Mid-West Athletic Conference play on Saturday, January 3 as they host Lewis & Clark in a 1pm contest in Ramsey Gym. 

TUESDAY RESULTS
Illinois Central 62, Kirkwood 60 - championship
Lake Land 75, North Central Missouri - third place
Mid Michigan 78, Palm Beach State 77 - fifth place
Kankakee 68, McHenry 60 - seventh place

ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
Olivia Wren, Kirkwood
Addy Engel, Illinois Central
Lily Luczkowiak, Illinois Central
Janiah Suprius, Palm Beach State
Kennedy Blakely, Kirkwood
Kam Heider, Illinois Central
Delaney Seaman, Mid Michigan
Madison Smith, Mid Michigan
Sidney Aeschliman, North Central 
Ava Simpson, Kankakee