MATTOON, Ill. – The No. 14 ranked Parkland College women’s basketball team wrapped up its regular season with a hard-fought 51-49 loss at Lake Land College on Saturday, March 4th. The Cobras (22-4) (9-3) had the lead with under two minutes to go, but three late free throws from the Lakers (24-6) (11-1) handed Parkland its fourth loss of the season. Sophomore Shae Bell (15 points, 10 rebounds) led the team in scoring and recorded her ninth double-double of the season in the loss. Head coach Laura Litchfield finishes her first regular season at the helm with a 22-4 record, including 9-3 in conference play.
“Not the outcome we wanted,” Litchfield said after the loss, “but we did a great job executing defensively and offensively. Lots of credit to Lake Land. They are a hard-working and well-coached team.”
The Cobras (22-4) (9-3) trailed early in the first quarter but found success working the ball inside, and Shae Bell gave Parkland its first lead on a putback with 1:25 left in the quarter. The Lakers (24-6) (11-1) trailed 13-10 at the start of the second quarter, but another fast start saw the Cobras take a timeout trailing 18-15 with 5:08 to go. Freshman Abby Shepard stole a loose ball and laid it in on the other end to put Parkland up 21-20 with 1:02 until halftime, and the Beecher, Illinois, native buried a three on the next possession to give the Cobras a 24-20 at the break. The momentum shifted back to Lake Land in the second half, as the Lakers took a 28-26 lead on a three-pointer and led by as many as nine points in the third quarter. The Cobras cut the deficit to 35-34 at the end of the third, closing on an 8-0 run. Shepard gave Parkland a 38-37 lead on another steal and score at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Lakers quickly regained the lead, and Parkland trailed 46-42 when a Lake Land called timeout with 3:27 to play. The Cobras battled back after the timeout, and sophomore Chloe Gould knocked down a three to take a 47-46 lead with 2:24 left. The Lakers answered with a bucket, but freshman Alyssa Cole hit two free throws to retake the lead, 49-48, with just under two minutes to go. Parkland failed to score again as Lake Land forced a late Cobra turnover and went 3-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to go up 51-49. Bell got a shot up in the last seconds, but it clanked off the back iron and Parkland lost 51-49 in a hard-fought game in Mattoon.
“The third quarter bit us with the way we came out and lacked energy,” Litchfield admitted, “but we fought back and kept working. For now, we will focus on getting ready for the postseason.”
Statistical Overview:
- Shae Bell: 15 points, 10 rebounds
- Alyssa Cole: 6 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists
- Abby Shepard: 9 points, 2 steals
- Jennifer Heinberg: 8 points (2-5 3PT)
Up next, the Cobras will begin postseason play on Wednesday, March 8th, as the No. 2 seed in the Central District. Parkland will host No. 7 seed Spoon River College at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex on Wednesday. Tip-off against the Snappers (10-17) (0-12) will be at 5:30 PM.
