Quincy, IL - A ferocious defensive effort by the #10 Illinois Central College women's basketball team helped them to an 88-32 victory over John Wood on Wednesday night in Region 24 action at Mountain Dew Court. The Cougars held JWCC to 22% shooting and owned the boards 49-20 to improve their record to 17-3 overall and 4-2 in Region 24. The Cougars dished out 31 assists to make 37 field goals and were led by Lily Luczkowiak (19 points), Hannah West (17), Ellie VanMeenen (10), and Maziah Shelton's double-double of 15 rebounds and 10 points. 

ICC got on the board in the opening seconds as Luczkowiak scored on a layup off the jump ball followed by a Larissa Taylor jumper. VanMeenen had a layup and then a Shelton steal led to a Kam Heider trey for an 11-4 early lead. Luczkowiak scored inside and then her steal turned into an old-fashioned three-point play by West for a 16-4 lead. Another steal, this time by Emily Dana led to a Hedier three-pointer and on the next possession A'Meah Lester nailed a three-ball for a 19-6 lead. Engel and Shelton scored in the paint to cap the first quarter score at 26-6.

The second quarter was much of the same as West and Piper Whiteman nailed a trio of three-pointers. Baskets by Luczkowiak, VanMeenen and Shelton helped ICC to a 46-16 halftime lead. The Cougars continued to dominate in the second half to cruise to the win.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Maziah Shelton | 15 rebounds, 10 points
Lily Luczkowiak | 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists
Hannah West | 17 points, 4 assists
Ellie VanMeenen | 10 points, 4 rebounds
Piper Whiteman | 9 points
Addy Engel | 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Kam Heider | 8 points, 4 assists
A'Meah Lester | 5 points, 3 assists
Larissa Taylor | 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 points
Emily Dana | 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, I BEAT THE DEAN

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Stronger Together Cancer Awareness Game - wear pink or any other supportive cancer awareness shirt
Saturday, January 24 at 1pm
vs. #2 Lincoln Land
Ramsey Gym, East Peoria, IL
Livestream: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/east-peoria/organization/55914/illinois-central-col/
Audio: https://icc-womens-basketball.mixlr.com/