East Peoria, IL - Kamryn Heider's 16 points and Addy Engel's 15 led the ninth-ranked Illinois Central College Women's Basketball team (25-6) to a 76-43 victory over John Wood (10-20) in the Region 24 Tournament Quarterfinal on Tuesday night at Ramsey Gym. ICC's defense and depth were both important factors, as they forced 28 turnovers and dominated bench scoring, 38-5. With the win, the 2-seeded Cougars advance to the Region Tournament Semifinal on Thursday, when they will host the 3-seeded Lake Land Lakers at 5:30 PM. 

"We had a lot of energy, especially on the defensive end, and it paid off," coach Karrie Redeker said. "We also shared the ball well and made the extra pass, which made it a fun game to be a part of. We're excited to be moving on to Thursday." 

ICC scratched first on an Addi Swadinsky layup, Larissa Taylor bucket, and Lily Luczkowiak putback for a 7-5 lead. The Cougars went on a bit of a scoring lull until Savannah Orgeron scored on a jumper and then a three-pointer just before the end of the quarter (assist Heider) for a 15-14 advantage. 

Engel hit Madison Jobe for a three-pointer and an 18-16 lead, and then Engel had an offensive putback, layup, and two free throws to put ICC ahead 24-23. The Cougars then went on a 16-2 run during the final five minutes of the half to break the game open, as Engel had a steal and layup, Kaitlin White had a steal that led to an Engel old-fashioned three-point play, Cora DeSutter found Heider for an open trey, Taylor had a putback, and Heider nailed a three-pointer on a set play (assist Swadinsky) to give ICC a 40-25 lead at intermission. 

The Cougars stayed aggressive to open the third, as Taylor, Engel, Swadinsky, and Luczkowiak all scored on assists as ICC opened a 51-31 lead. Heider added two putbacks and DeSutter played the role of point guard by assisting on baskets to Orgeron and two more to Heider for a 65-38 lead heading into the final stanza. 

Luczkowiak had an offensive rebound for a score, then Khalise Thomas made a nifty backdoor pass to a cutting Gracie Heckert for a layup. Emily Dana found Jobe for another trey and Thomas finished off the scoring with a runner in the lane. 

COUGAR STATISTICS
Kamryn Heider | 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Addy Engel | 15 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Lily Luczkowiak | 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Larissa Taylor | 9 points, 5 rebounds
Savannah Orgeron | 7 points, 2 rebounds
Madison Jobe | 7 points
Addi Swadinsky | 4 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Cora DeSutter | 3 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Gracie Hecker | 2 points
Khalise Thomas | 2 points
Kaitlin White | 1 point, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Lauren Maas | 1 point, 2 rebounds
Emily Dana | 5 rebounds

OTHER REGION QUARTERFINAL SCORES
#4 Lincoln Land 102, Lewis & Clark 45
#24 Parkland 74, Danville Area 50
#7 Lake Land 93, Kaskaskia 45

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2025 Region 24 Tournament Semifinal
vs. #7 Lake Land Lakers (25-6)
Thursday, March 6th - 5:30 PM
at Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, IL
Watch Live (Hudl TV)
Listen Live (Mixlr)