Joplin, MO - Savannah Orgeron's double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds and Lily Luczkowiak's 18 points propelled the #12 seeded Illinois Central College Women's Basketball team (26-8) to an 82-67 victory over #20 seed North Platte on Wednesday afternoon at the NJCAA Division-II National Tournament's 7th Place Quarterfinal. Freshmen Kamryn Heider (12 points) and Madison Jobe (11 points) also had big contributions, combining for a 7-9 effort from three-point range as ICC went 9-19 from long distance. The Cougars also held a commanding rebounding edge (53-28) to offset 26 turnovers caused by feisty defense from the Knights. 

"Loved the resiliency of our team," coach Karrie Redeker said. "Monday's game against Union got away from us at the end and was the biggest deficit we've lost by this season, but we responded today by playing with confidence and trusting each other. Kam and Madison got us rolling with their good shooting, which gave us a huge lift. We're excited to be preparing for another game on Friday." 

The Cougars took a 9-6 lead behind two baskets from Luczkowiak, an Addy Engel three-pointer, and Kaitlin White free throws at the 4:10 mark. Heider's trey (assist Lauren Maas) ignited a 10-0 run as Larissa Taylor added an old-fashioned three-point play, and Luczkowiak and Orgeron added baskets for a 19-6 lead. Addi Swadinsky hit a jumper (assist Engel) as ICC took a 21-11 first quarter lead. 

The Cougar defense stayed strong to open the second period, fueling the transition game as Luczkowiak and Taylor combined for eight points along with a Heider trey (assist White) for a 34-13 advantage. A Luczkowiak score, two baskets from Orgeron, and two treys from Jobe gave ICC their largest lead of the day at 46-23 at the 2:15 mark, but North Platte closed the half on a run to pull within 46-30 at intermission. 

Two scores by Luczkowiak opened the third quarter, along with another trey from Heider (assist Swadinsky) to push the lead back to 57-35. The teams traded scores, including a three-pointer from the top of the key by Jobe on a set play (assist Maas) as ICC held a 67-47 advantage after three quarters. 

Taylor scored on the first possession of the fourth, but the Knights did not quit, rattling off nine straight points in less than a minute to close their deficit to 69-56. A Swadinsky jumper in the lane ended the run, but North Platte stayed on the attack to trail just 71-62 with 3:24 remaining. The Cougar defense held strong, giving up just five points in the final minutes while Luczkowiak, Orgeron, and Engel combined to go 11-14 from the free throw line to seal the victory. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Savannah Orgeron | 19 points, 12 rebounds, 8-8 free throws
Lily Luczkowiak | 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds
Kamryn Heider | 12 points, 4 3's, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Madison Jobe | 11 points, 3 3's
Larissa Taylor | 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Addy Engel | 8 points, 4 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky | 4 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
Kaitlin White | 2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Lauren Maas | 4 assists, 3 rebounds

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2025 NJCAA 7th Place Semifinal
vs. #11 North Central Missouri Pirates (24-8)
at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center - Joplin, MO
9:00 AM CST Tipoff TIme
Watch Live ($) (NJCAA Network)
Listen Live (Free) (Mixlr)
Live Stats (PrestoSports)