JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Illinois College women's basketball team continued its five-game homestand hosting the Red Devils of Eureka College for a non-conference decision Saturday afternoon in Sherman Gymnasium. The Lady Blues end the 2023 calendar year with a 67-55 victory over Eureka College. IC now stands at 7-6 overall while the Red Devils drop to 4-7 overall.
In the first minute of action, IC got off to a quick 6-0 run that started on a lay-in from
Sarra Faust that was assisted by
Jayln Patterson. In the run,
Ashlyn Wightman and
Kendra Bass each added a layup that promoted an Eureka timeout. Each team would exchange baskets to the score of 10-4 when the Red Devils erupted for a 12-0 run that was eventually snapped by Wightman at the free-throw line that cut the deficit down to 12-16. In the final minute of the first period, Eureka added two points at the free-throw line while Bass made a jumper in the paint that made the score 14-18 after 10 minutes of action.
The Lady Blues started the second quarter on a 8-0 run that started on a three-point basket from
Maya Smith. Also in the run, Bass added a lay-in that gave IC the 19-18 lead and was assisted by Smith. Faust added the final basket of run by netting a deep three-point basket that was assisted by
Brooklyn Stiefel that made the score 22-18. Eureka's Brin Hultz stopped the run with a three-point basket that cut the lead to one at 22-21. After each team exchanged two baskets each to the score 28-25, IC closed out the first half on a 10-3 run. In the run, Wightman added seven points while Bass added a basket while Stiefel made a free-throw. The Lady Blues took the 38-28 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, after a basket from Eureka's Josie Ness, IC's
Gracie Kizer answered with six consecutive points that increased the lead to 44-30. However, the Red Devils responded with a 6-0 run that cut the deficit down to eight at 44-36 as Wightman eliminated the run with a layup. For the remainder of the third quarter, each team exchanged baskets that generated the score 52-42.
Eureka started the final quarter on a 7-3 run as IC's basket in the run came from a three-point basket from Smith that made the score 55-49. Shortly later, the Lady Blues responded with a 8-0 run that started on back-to-back three-point baskets from Smith and Kizer as Wightman added a turnaround jumpshot in the paint that increased the lead back to double-digits at 14 at 63-49. IC's McKee was able to increase the lead the IC lead to 15 at 67-52 with a lay-in that sealed the victory.
For the game, IC was led in scoring by Wightman as she recorded 17 points while Smith, Bass, and Faust each contributed 11 points. Wightman led the Lady Blues with eight rebounds while Bass and Patterson each hauled down five. IC outscored Eureka 42-18 in the paint while also forcing 31 turnovers that resulted in 23 points on the offensive end.
The Lady Blues will return to Midwest Conference play hosting the Buccaneers of Beloit College on Wednesday, January 3 at 7:30PM in Sherman Gymnasium.
