QUINCY, Ill. – The No. 10 ranked Parkland College women’s basketball team overcame a sluggish first quarter with a strong second half on the road at John Wood Community College, taking down the Blazers 58-44 Saturday, February 18th. The Cobras (20-2) (7-1) worked the ball inside against the Blazers (8-16) (2-5), outscoring them 36-18 in the paint. Freshman Alyssa Cole (18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists) and sophomore Shae Bell (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks) led the way as the Cobras improved to 10-0 on the road this season.
“Playing on the road can have its challenges, but I am very grateful to get the win,” head coach Laura Litchfield said after the game. “Our posts went to work in the paint and on the boards today, and that was a huge difference maker for us.”
The Cobras trailed the Blazers 13-12 at the end of the first quarter, but sophomore Jennifer Heinberg opened the second quarter with a three to put Parkland in front, and the team never looked back. Abby Shepard hit a breakaway layup to give the Cobras a nine-point lead with 3:12 to go in the first half, and the Cobras outscored the Blazers 16-10 in the second quarter to take a 28-23 lead into halftime. In the second half, Parkland extended its lead with a 10-0 run to open the third quarter, and John Wood called timeout with 4:28 on the clock after a Shae Bell layup put the Cobras up 42-26. An Abby Shepard three and two Kenzey Decker free throws to start the fourth quarter gave Parkland a 52-34 lead with 7:30 left, and back-to-back Bell post-up buckets in the closing stages put the Cobras ahead 58-39, their largest lead of the game. John Wood cut the deficit late, but Parkland picked up their 20th win of the season, 58-44 on the road.
Statistical Overview:
- Alyssa Cole: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
- Shae Bell: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
- Abby Shepard: 8 points, 2 steals
- Mallory Cyrulik: 5 points, 6 rebounds
Up next, the Cobras host Spoon River College on Wednesday, February 22nd. Tip-off against the Snappers (10-13) (0-7) is scheduled for 5:30 PM at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.
