Cougars Women’s Basketball gets career-high 20 points from Faulkner in 72-64 victory

Hillsboro, MO – A long road trip was at hand for the Illinois Central College Women’s Basketball team (9-2), who were ranked fifth in the NJCAA Division II rankings prior to Saturday’s match-up with Division I Jefferson College (5-6).

Right out of the gate, Kellyn Maynard (So. – Paxton-Buckley-Loda HS) had a quality quarter, scoring 8 of her 18 points in the first 8 minutes. Not to be outdone, Bailey Larsen (So. – Normal U-High) also had a seven-point quarter. Through the first frame, the visitors would hold a 20-12 lead over the host Vikings.

The second quarter didn’t see any shortage of offense from the Cougars either. In this period, the offense came mostly from Madison Faulkner (Fr. – Rochester HS), who tallied 11 of her game-high 20 points. Sia Williams (Fr. – Lauderhill, FL) (3), Maynard (2), Abby Coates (Fr. – Metamora HS) (3) all contributed in the scoring department for ICC. Despite a 19-point quarter for the Cougars they were outscored by the Vikings 24-19 in the quarter. With half of this one in the books, the Cougars would be out in front, but with a slim lead, 39-36. At the half, the Cougars were shooting 60.7% from the field.

The third quarter saw the offense not where it was comparatively with the first half, as three Cougars, Maynard (2), Henderson (6), and Coates (2) combined for 10 ICC points in the third. Even though the offense wasn’t at the point it had been earlier in the contest, ICC was able to hold Jefferson College to a 10-point quarter as well, and the Cougars would maintain their 3-point lead headed into the fourth and final quarter, 49-46.

The Cougars needed to get the offense going in the fourth, and they did. Five ICC players got into the scoring column, and they were able to try and run some time off of the clock and prevent any last hope for the Vikings. When the final buzzer sounded, the #5 Cougars would leave the state of Missouri with a 72-64 win.

As mentioned, Madison Faulkner had a 20-point effort for ICC, which turns out to be a career-high for the freshman. Also, Kathy Pinnock Branford (Fr. – Costa Rica) had a career-high 7 assists in the win.

Kellyn Maynard (18), Abby Coates (10), and Bailey Larsen (10) were also in double figures. Emma Henderson (Fr. – Tuscola HS) had the long-range game working today, scoring 9 points on three 3-pointers.

The Cougars have a 12-day break before their next game(s). They will begin tournament play in their own ICC Holiday Tournament December 28th at 6:00 pm against McHenry County.

 

Cougars Scorers:

Madison Faulkner (20), Kellyn Maynard (18), Abby Coates (10), Bailey Larsen (10), Emma Henderson (9), Sia Williams (5)

Cougars Leaders:

Field Goals | Kellyn Maynard (9 for 13)

3’s | Emma Henderson (3 for 6)

Free Throws | Madison Faulkner (4 for 5)

Rebounds | Abby Coates (5)

Assists | Kathy Pinnock Branford (7)

Blocks | Abby Coates & Kathy Pinnock Branford (1 each)

Steals | Bailey Larsen (4)

Cougars Team Stats:

Field Goals | 30 for 59

3’s | 4 for 10

Free Throws | 8 for 12

Rebounds | 18

Assists | 24

Turnovers | 18

Blocks | 2

Steals | 7