MONMOUTH, Ill. – The Illinois College women's basketball team cut a 12-point deficit entering the fourth quarter down to five midway through final period of play before Monmouth College regained control and retained a portion of the lead in the Midwest Conference with a 67-55 win over the Lady Blues. Monmouth goes to 13-3 (8-1 MWC) with the win, while the Lady Blues drop to 6-11 (2-8 MWC).
In a first quarter of runs, 9-0 and 8-0 spurts from the Fighting Scots left them with a 19-10 lead after 10 minutes. Illinois College was able to offer a solid response in the second quarter, shrinking its deficit to 29-23 at the break.
Monmouth came out firing in the third quarter and managed to take its largest lead of the contest, 49-32, with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter. Five quick points from the Lady Blues cut it back to 12 and the teams went to the final quarter with Monmouth on top, 51-39.
The fourth quarter was all about
Brielle Greenleaf, but the senior for IC did not receive any additional help from her teammates until the final minute. Greenleaf scored the first 13 points of the quarter for Illinois College, getting her team as close as 53-48 before Monmouth pulled away again in the final minutes.
Greenleaf tied Monmouth's Becca Gallis for game-high scoring honors with 18 points.
Carly Cameron added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Madi Peyton came off the bench for 10 points as well.
Illinois College comes home to face Cornell College on Jan. 19. Tip-off in Sherman Gymnasium is set for 3 p.m.
