East Peoria, Ill. - Hannah West's career high 23 points and Addy Engel's 20 led a potent offensive attack for the #8 Illinois Central College women's basketball team in a 96-43 win over (RV) Lake Land on Saturday afternoon in Region 24 action at Ramsey Gym. West connected on 7-9 field goals (3-3 from 3-point range) while Engel was an efficient 8-13 (2-3 from long distance) and added three assists. Lily Luczkowiak tallied 16 points on 8-12 shooting and pulled down 4 rebounds, Kam Heider had 12 points, and Maziah Shelton just missed another double-double, scoring 11 points and collecting 9 boards. Larissa Taylor also had 9 rebounds to go along with 6 points and 4 assists, and Ellie VanMeenen filled the stat sheet with 6 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, & 3 steals.

The Cougars dominated in all categories, including rebounding (42-26), field goal percentage (55% to the Lakers' 33%) and bench scoring (36-8) to move their record to 22-3 overall and 9-2 in Region 24. Lake Land fell to 14-11, 7-4.

ICC got early scores from Engel, Heider, and Larissa Taylor for a 9-8 lead at the 6:27 mark before erupting for a 20-2 run over the rest of the period. Two Luczkowiak layups (assists Taylor & VanMeenen) spearheaded the attack, and then Shelton and West combined for the next dozen points on two treys and three layups for a 25-10 lead. West was fouled on a last-second three-point attempt and after a technical foul was called on the Laker bench, hit 4 of 5 free throws for a 29-10 first quarter lead.

VanMeenen kept the run going as she opened the second quarter with a three-ball, and then assisted Taylor for a layup followed by a Luczkowiak steal and layup for a 36-10 advantage. Engel added a trio of layups (assists Emily Dana, Piper Whiteman, & Shelton), and scores by Heider and West gave the Cougars a commanding 56-20 lead at intermission.

The second half was more of the same as the Cougars allowed only 11 Laker points in the third on 5-17 field goal shooting (29%). Offensively, A'Meah Lester had a layup after a steal, Engel (2) and Heider splashed in treys and Luczkowiak, Taylor, and Shelton scored inside to increase the lead. West worked more last second magic as she hit a 40-foot runner just before the third quarter ended to put ICC ahead 78-31. 

VanMeenen and West added treys in the fourth while Shelton and Luczkowiak each added two baskets for the final scoring.

LEADERS FOR THE COUGARS
Hannah West | 23 points, 2 rebounds
Addy Engel | 20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Lily Luczkowiak | 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Kam Heider | 12 points, 2 assists
Maziah Shelton | 11 points, 9 rebounds
Larissa Taylor | 9 rebounds, 6 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Ellie VanMeenen | 6 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals

I BEAT THE DEAN: Hannah West

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Wed, Feb. 11 
Home vs. Spoon River at 5:30 pm
Ramsey Gym, East Peoria
Watch: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/east-peoria/organization/55914/illinois-central-col/
Listen: https://icc-womens-basketball.mixlr.com/