MONMOUTH, Ill. - The Illinois College women's basketball team continued Midwest Conference play with a visit to Monmouth College Wednesday evening. The Lady Blues defeated the Fighting Scots by the final score of 76-60 for their first MWC victory of the 2023-24 season.
In the opening minute of action, each team exchanged baskets to a 4-4 tie when
Sarra Faust started a 6-1 Lady Blue run with a layup. In the run,
Kendra Bass and
Ashlyn Wightman each contributed baskets that made the score 10-5. Shortly later, Monmouth's Ashley Jones made a pair of free-throws that cut the IC lead down to three at 10-7 as that was the closest margin the Fighting Scots would get in the decision. The Lady Blues closed out the first quarter on a 7-0 run that was started on a
Anna McKee lay-in. In the run,
Gracie Kizer added a deep three-point basket while
Maya Smith contributed a layup that took the 21-11 advantage after the first.
The Lady Blues came out red hot from the field by starting the second quarter on a 9-2 run which brought the total run to a 16-2 run. Bass started the second quarter run with a three-point basket while
Madison Webb added a lay-in that made the score 27-11. Shortly later, Wightman and Smith contributed two points apiece that stretched the lead to 18 at 31-13. For the remainder of the first half, each team exchanged baskets that created the halftime score of 39-20.
IC started the second half on 10-2 run where Wightman and Bass each recorded four points in the run as the other basket came from
Jayln Patterson at the top of the key that made the score 49-22. However, the Fighting Scots responded with a 11-3 run that cut the lead down to 19 at 52-33. Shortly later, Bass started a 6-0 Lady Blue run with a jump shot in the paint while Wightman and Kizer each contributing a basket that made the score 58-33. For the final two minutes of the third, each team battled back-and-forth and exchanged baskets to the score of 64-40.
In the final quarter, the Fighting Scots battled their way back into the contest with a 12-0 run that cut the IC lead down to 15 at 68-53. The Lady Blues responded with a 8-3 run that started on a Webb three-point basket as
Brooklyn Stiefel added a three-point basket of her own that sealed the victory.
For the game, IC was led by Wightman with her fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds. IC had two other student-athletes record double-figure scoring marks which included Bass with 13 and Kizer with 10 points. All 13 players that traveled received at least one minute of action.
As a team, IC shot 41.7 percent from the field while shooting nine-of-10 from the free-throw line.
The Lady Blues will play in front of their home crowd for the second time this season hosting Lawrence University on Saturday, December 9 at 3:00 PM in Sherman Gymnasium.
