Mattoon, IL - The seventh-ranked Illinois Central College Women's Basketball team (20-6, 10-2) came up just short at #10 Lake Land (21-5, 10-2), losing a 64-61 decision in Region 24 action on Saturday afternoon. The game went back and forth all afternoon, but the Lakers used some late offensive rebounding to grab the win. Kaitlin White led ICC with 19 points, while Lily Luczkowiak had 13 points and six rebounds for the Cougars. 

"This was a great game between two strong teams, but unfortunately we came up on the short end," ICC coach Karrie Redeker said. "We played with great effort and stuck together, which is what we ask of our kids. We'll keep learning from games like this." 

ICC took an early 12-6 lead on two treys by White and baskets by Larissa Taylor and Luczkowiak. However, the Lakers responded with a run to cut the Cougar lead to 15-14 after the first quarter of play. 

A runner by White put ICC up 17-14, but the Lakers grabbed the lead at 23-19 midway through the period. Two free throws and a turnaround jumper by Savannah Orgeron tied the game at 23-all, but the Lakers again responded with a 7-0 run to grab a 30-23 lead with just over a minute remaining. The Cougars finished the quarter in textbook fashion, and thanks to an Addy Engel putback, Luczkowiak free throw, and White layup (assist Engel), trailed just 30-28 at the half. 

Neither team could pull away in the second half. ICC grabbed the lead on the first two possessions with Luczkowiak freebies and a Taylor putback. White scored on a layup, then had a steal and layup to put the Cougars ahead 38-34, but Lake Land answered to grab a 41-40 lead. The teams traded scores and stops as Luczkowiak had a putback, and Engel and Orgeron connected from the free throw line to put ICC narrowly ahead at 49-48 heading into the final frame. 

The opening minutes of the fourth saw both defenses tighten until Lauren Maas scored on a baseline drive for a 51-48 Cougar lead. Kamryn Heider added a runner int he paint for a 53-50 Cougar lead midway through the period but the Lakers added a free throw and a three-pointer to take the lead back at 54-53. An Addi Swadinsky layup instantly off an out-of-bounds play gave ICC a 55-54 lead, but the Lakers cashed in on an offensive rebound with a three-pointer and a 57-55 advantage. 

Engel tied the score at 57-all with two free throws with 2:28 to play, but a Laker layup gave them a 59-57 lead. Luczkowiak tied the scored at 59-59 on a Swadinsky assist and the Cougar defense held, but Lake Land came down with the offensive rebound and again nailed a trey for a 62-59 lead with just under a minute to go. Perhaps nobody knew it at the time, but this lead would never be relinquished. White got to the rim for a score to cut the deficit to 62-61, but the Lakers hit free throws, and ICC was unable to get a three off to force overtime in the closing seconds. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Kaitlin White | 19 points, 4 rebounds
Lily Luczkowiak | 13 points, 6 rebounds
Larissa Taylor | 8 points, 7 rebounds
Addy Engel | 6 points, 5 rebounds
Savannah Orgeron | 4 points
Kamryn Heider | 4 points
Addi Swadinsky | 2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Lauren Maas | 2 points, 3 rebounds
Cora DeSutter | 1 point, 3 rebounds

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
vs. Danville Area Jaguars (18-9, 7-6)
Wednesday, February 19th - 5:30 PM
at Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Illinois
Watch Live (HUDL-TV)
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