JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College women's basketball team accomplished one of its goals by attacking Maggie Oimoen and getting Ripon College's leading scorer in foul trouble, however the Red Hawks had plenty of other options and a stellar defensive day from the visitors resulted in a 79-43 Ripon win. The Lady Blues fall to 6-10 (2-7 Midwest Conference), while Ripon remains in a tie for first place in the conference at 8-7 (7-1 MWC).
With Sherman Gym left mostly empty due to the weather, neither team opened with much energy. After six minutes of play, Illinois College held a 6-4 lead thanks to baskets from
Brielle Greenleaf and
Carly Cameron. However, after Greenleaf gave IC that lead, Ripon would shutout the Lady Blues the rest of the quarter and take a 13-6 lead after one.
Madi Peyton and
Grace Yaunches supplied all of Illinois College's offense off the bench in the second quarter. Peyton had the opening basket of the quarter on a pretty finger roll and ended with eight points in the quarter. Yaunches knocked down a three midway through the period. Despite their 11 combined points, Ripon extended its edge to 37-17 at the half.
Both offenses began to click more in the third quarter; however Ripon was able to add onto its lead by outscoring Illinois College in the quarter, 22-14. Greenleaf had the first six points of the half for IC and
McKenzie Skaggs had a steal and layup just before the horn as the third ended with the Red Hawks ahead, 59-31.
Oimoen was back on the floor to start the fourth quarter and she scored Ripon's first six points down low. With the game out of reach, Illinois College went to its bench late in the contest and
Kaylee Andrea was able to knock down a baseline jumper for the final points of the game for the Lady Blues.
Peyton led Illinois College in scoring with 11 points. Both Yaunches and Greenleaf ended the day with 10. Greenleaf also led the Lady Blues with six rebounds.
Illinois College heads back on the road on Jan. 16, making a trip to Monmouth College for a 5:30 p.m. game.
