Women’s Basketball snaps Lake Michigan College’s 23-game home win streak
Benton Harbor, Michigan – The ICC Women’s Basketball team (18-6) had a long road trip to make Wednesday afternoon, an almost four hour drive to Benton Harbor, Michigan, to take on the Lake Michigan College Redhawks (16-5). Headed into this one, the Redhawks would hold a 23-game win streak at home, going (9-0) this season. This was ICC’s first game outside of the State of Illinois since December 16th at Jefferson College (Hillsboro, Missouri).
The Cougars were not missing much early, as all but two Cougars would hit the scoring column in the opening quarter. At the first timeout at 4:31 of the first quarter, ICC had already hit double figures, leading Lake Michigan, 11-6. The rest of the quarter, ICC would outscore the Redhawks 14-6. To end things in the first, Sia Williams (Fr. – Lauderhill, FL) hit a buzzer-beating three from well beyond the arc, and the Cougars would take a 25-12 lead after just ten minutes.
However, Lake Michigan would find a way to crawl back into this one, keeping the game within ten for essentially the rest of the game. Yet ICC was able to get their largest lead of the game, with a 2-pointer just 19 seconds into the second quarter by Jasmine Levy (So. – Maywood, IL) put the Cougars up 15 (27-12). Back came the Redhawks, besting the Cougars after that Levy basket 18-12. At the half, the Cougars would be holding on to a nine-point lead, 39-30.
Out of the halftime locker room, the hosts got even closer, within six in fact, forcing a timeout by ICC late in the third quarter. That was about as close as Lake Michigan would get. Krystal Walker (So. – Zion, IL) had the best quarter of any Cougars player, scoring six of her team-high 12 points in the third. With both teams totaling 14 points in the quarter, ICC maintained a nine-point lead with just a quarter remaining in this one.
The final quarter saw the game essentially stay right where it was in regards to deficit for the hosts, as ICC had them right where they wanted them. Lake Michigan’s key player, Jade Mosier, who came into this game leading in numerous statistical categories, sat the bench for awhile with four fouls. The Redhawks were not going down without a fight, even playing the Journey hit “Don’t Stop Believin” over the sound system late in the fourth quarter. When the final buzzer sounded, the 14th-ranked ICC women had ended Lake Michigan’s 23-game home win streak with a 68-59 win.
Abby Coates (Fr. – Metamora, IL) would have a good game on the boards, bringing down a team-high 11 rebounds. The Cougars would also have three in double figures, led by Krystal Walker and Jasmine Levy with 12 points. Madison Faulkner (Fr. – Rochester) also had 10 points. Bailey Larsen (S0. – Bloomington, IL) dished out nine assists.
The Cougars will play host to Bryant & Stratton this Saturday in Ramsey Gym, tipping off at 2:00 pm.
ICC Cougars Scorers: Jasmine Levy (12), Krystal Walker (12), Madison Faulkner (10), Bailey Larsen (8), Sia Williams (7), Abby Coates (6), Kellyn Maynard (5), Kennedy Banks (4), Aubrey Magro (2), Kathy Pinnock-Branford (2)
ICC Cougars Statistical Leaders:
- Field Goals | Jasmine Levy & Krystal Walker (6 each)
- Threes | Bailey Larsen (2)
- Free Throws | Kellyn Maynard (1 for 1)
- Rebounds | Abby Coates (11)
- Assists | Bailey Larsen (9)
- Blocks | Abby Coates, Bailey Larsen, Jasmine Levy (1 each)
- Steals | Abby Coates & Aubrey Magro (2 each)
ICC Cougars Team Stats:
- Field Goals | 32 for 61 (52.5%)
- Threes | 3 for 12 (25%)
- Free Throws | 1 for 1 (100%)
- Rebounds | 44 (34 – defensive) (10 – offensive)
- Assists | 22
- Turnovers | 18
- Blocks | 3
- Steals | 6
Next ICC Women’s Basketball Game:
Saturday, February 10th – 2:00 pm
vs. Bryant & Stratton (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) | Record: (19-7)