Hickory, NC - Addy Engel's 23 points and 6 steals and Lily Luczkowiak's 21 points helped the #2 seeded Illinois Central College women's basketball team to a nail-biting 68-61 win in overtime over #15 seeded Chattahoochee Valley (AL) at the NJCAA DII National Tournament on Tuesday evening. The win advances the Cougars to the Elite 8 on Thursday, where they will face Region 24 foe Parkland at 3:00 pm CST at Tarlton Complex.

Engel went 6-13 from the field and 10-14 from the charity stripe, while Luczkowiak shot 10-18 from the field and took a charge to lead ICC. Luczkowiak also reached a personal milestone in the third quarter as she eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for her career. Other leaders were Kam Heider (10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 charge taken), Larissa Taylor (11 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 4 points), Ellie VanMeenen (8 points, took two charges), and Maziah Shelton (7 rebounds) for ICC, now 31-3.

"Chattahoochee gave us everything we could handle," coach Karrie Redeker said. "They were very physical and had a center who scored 29 points and had 18 rebounds but we stayed the course, especially defensively and found a way to play another day, which we're very thankful for. Kudos to Lily for her huge accomplishment; how exciting for her and our program to do this at Nationals."  

Both teams established themselves early defensively as the score was just 5-4 midway through the first period. A Maziah Shelton offensive put-back kick-started the offense followed by a Luczkowiak jumper and two Engel buckets for a narrow 13-11 ICC lead.

CVCC turned up the defense to start the second, holding the Cougars scoreless for nearly five minutes until Luczkowiak scored on a baseline drive for a tie at 15-all. After a Pioneer basket, the Cougars went on a 7-0 run thanks to baskets by Engel, Luczkowiak, and VanMeenen for a 23-17 lead, but CVCC rallied to cut ICC's lead to just 26-24 at the half.

Seven points and two steals by Engel, and VanMeenen and Luczkowiak layups put ICC up 32-26, but the Pioneers went on a 7-0 run to cut the Cougar lead to 41-38 heading into the fourth.

The fourth quarter was a see-saw affair that saw six ties and two lead changes. Luczkowiak and Taylor's put-backs gave ICC a 47-43 lead but CVCC tied it at 49-all with 4:53 remaining. The Pioneers then took a 54-53 lead with 2:10 to play but Engel's steal and layup and two Cougar free throws tied the score at 57-all. Each team had good shots in the final minute to win it, but they didn't fall forcing the extra session.

In overtime, Luczkowiak scored on a Heider assist and Engel's steal and layup put ICC ahead 61-57. Heider and VanMeenen took charges to help keep CVCC scoreless until the :58 second mark, and Taylor's put-back and Cougar free throws closed out the game.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Elite Eight - NJCAA DII National Tournament 
Thursday, March 19 at 3:00 pm CST
vs. (10) Parkland (24-7)
Tarlton Gym - Hickory, NC
Livestream is available for purchase at https://www.njcaa.org/network/landing/index
Audio only with Alex Staab (free): https://icc-womens-basketball.mixlr.com/

TUESDAY RESULTS
(4) Pima 71, (13) Des Moines Area 64
(1)Johnson County 83, Cleveland 58
(8) North Iowa Area 84, (9) Lincoln Land 65
(3) Harcum 87, (14) Mid Michigan 62
(10) Parkland 84, (7) Lansing 63
(2) Illinois Central 68, (15) Chattahoochee Valey 61

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE (Consolation bracket) - times listed are CST
11:00 Moraine Valley vs. Lincoln Land
1:00  Monroe vs. Schoolcraft
3:00 National Park vs. Lansing
5:00 Madison vs. CCBC Essex

THURSDAY QUARTERFINALS - times listed are CST
11:00 (1) Johnson County vs. (8) North Iowa Area
1:00 pm (4) Pima vs. (12) Union
3:00 pm (2) Illinois Central vs. (10) Parkland
5:00 pm (3 Harcum vs. (6) Kirkwood