JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Illinois College women's basketball team continued its five-game homestand hosting Ripon College for a Midwest Conference rematch decision Saturday afternoon in Sherman Gymnasium. The Lady Blues battled the Red Hawks but fell just short by the final score of 65-70. IC now stands at 8-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
In the opening minute of action, IC got off to a 4-2 lead on back-to-back baskets from
Ashlyn Wightman. Ripon quickly responded with a 9-0 run that was eventually snapped on a layup from
Gracie Kizer that made the score 6-11. Shortly later, the Red Hawks added an 8-0 run that increased the IC deficit to double-digits at 20-8. The Lady Blues closed out the first quarter on a 6-2 run that included pairs of free throws knocked down by
Sarra Faust and Wightman as
Jayln Patterson added a basket in between. IC trailed the Red Hawks 14-22 after the first quater.
Ripon began the scoring in the second quarter with a three-point basket that increased the deficit back to double-digits at 14-25. Shortly later, the Lady Blues erupted for a 10-0 run started on a lay-in by
Kendra Bass. In the run, Patterson added four consecutive points while
Maya Smith and
Madison Webb each added two points to a one-point deficit at 24-25. After three straight points from Ripon, IC closed out the first half with a 11-0 run started on a basket from Webb. In the run, Smith contributed four points while
Anna McKee added three as Bass added two. The Lady Blues outscored the Red Hawks 21-6 in the quarter that took the 35-28 advantage into halftime.
Ripon got off to a 6-2 run in the third quarter and cut the IC lead down to three 37-34. Shortly later, Patterson added five consecutive points for IC that increased the lead to eight at 42-34. The Red Hawks answered with a 6-0 run that cut the lead down to two at 42-40. On the next IC possession, Kizer increased the lead back to four with a basket. Ripon's Ella Ten Pas closed out the quarter with back-to-back baskets that tied the game at 44 apiece.
The Lady Blues began the final quarter on a 7-2 run that started on a conventional three-point play by Brooklyn Steifel as she battled through the contact and converted at the free-throw line. After the huge play by Steifel, Faust and Webb each added two points for the 51-46 advantage. Midway through the quarter, Ripon answered with a 15-4 run that gave IC a six-point deficit at 55-61. The Lady Blues quickly responded with a 7-2 run as five points came from Smith while Bass added a basket to a one-point deficit at 62-63. Ripon stretched the deficit to five at 62-67 on back-to-back baskets from Bella Opelt. With 24 seconds remaining on the clock, IC's Smith netted a deep three-point basket that cut the deficit down to two at 65-67. However, the Red Hawks added three free-throws in the final 18 seconds to earn the victory.
For the game, IC had three student-athletes finish with double-digit scoring marks that was led in by Smith with 14 points as Patterson contributed 13 as Wightman added 10. Webb led the Lady Blues with five rebounds while Bass hauled down four. As a team, IC shot 92 percent (23-25) from the free-throw line and scored 25 points from turnovers.
The Lady Blues will close out this homestand hosting Knox College for a MWC decision this Tuesday, January 8 at 7:30PM.
