BELOIT, Wis. - The Illinois College women's basketball team traveled to Beloit College for a Midwest Conference rematch decision Saturday afternoon in Flood Arena. The Lady Blues battled the Buccaneers back-and-forth but ultimately came up just short by the final score of 61-63 to move to 9-9 overall and 4-5 in the MWC.
In the opening minutes of action, Beloit got off to an early 4-0 advantage. IC's
Kendra Bass quickly tied the game at four with back-to-back baskets. Less than a minute later,
Ashlyn Wightman started a 7-0 run by netting a pair of free-throws that was followed by baskets from
Maya Smith and
Madison Webb for the 11-5 advantage. However, the Buccaneers immediately answered with a 7-0 run that generated a one-point deficit at 11-12. The game of runs continued as IC responded with another 7-0 run that started on a pair of free-throws from
Jayln Patterson. In the run, Bass added another basket while
Gracie Kizer drained a deep three-point basket for the 18-12 lead. Beloit closed out the final minute of the quarter with a 6-1 run that gave IC the 19-18 advantage.
IC started the second quarter on a 7-2 run that included baskets from Patterson, Bass, Kizer, and Wightman to the six-point advantage at 26-20. Midway through the quarter, each team went back-and-forth exchanging baskets as
Sarra Faust made a free-throw that made the score 29-24. However, Beloit responded with a 6-0 run that gave them the one-point lead at 30-29. IC closed out the first half on a 6-2 run started and ended with baskets from Bass that generated the halftime score of 35-32.
The battle continued into the second half as IC and Beloit continued to exchange baskets to a one-point advantage at 39-38. IC immediately responded with a 5-0 run on back-to-back baskets from Webb and Bass for the six-point lead at 44-38. The Buccaneers answered with a 7-2 run that cut the lead down to one at 46-45. IC increased the lead back to six at 51-45 with a 5-0 run that included baskets from Smith and Wightman. IC held the five-point advantage at 54-49 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, Beloit cut the lead down to one at 54-53 with four consecutive points. IC responded with consecutive baskets from Smith and Bass that pushed the lead back to five at 58-53. The Buccaneers countered with a 5-0 run that evened the score at 58 apiece with just less than four minutes remaining in regulation. At the 2:51 mark, Wightman gave IC the 60-58 lead with a basket in the paint. However, with under two minutes on the clock, Beloit's Hannah Welte answered with four straight free-throws that gave the Buccaneers the 62-60 lead as one they would not relinquish.
For the game, IC was led in scoring and rebounding by Bass with 22 points and seven rebounds. Wightman was second in scoring with 13 points as she led IC with two blocks.
The Lady Blues will return to Sherman Gymnasium for a three-game homestand starting with Cornell College on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:30PM.
