CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 14 ranked Parkland College women’s basketball team closed out Illinois Central College in the team’s final home game of the season on Wednesday, March 1st, as the Cobras won 75-69 on Sophomore Day. Parkland trailed at the end of the third quarter, but a 30-point fourth quarter propelled the Cobras to their 12th win at home this season. Sophomore Kenzey Decker (14 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks) and freshman Alyssa Cole (14 points, 7 rebounds) led the team in scoring in the bounce-back win.
First-year head coach Laura Litchfield credited her team’s toughness after the game. “I am so extremely proud of our team tonight and the fight they showed for 40 minutes,” Litchfield said.
“Having sophomore day today added another special touch to a great win. Our sophomores have put in so much work and dedication. It is even more special to get the win on their last regular season home game,” Litchfield concluded.
The Cobras (22-3) (9-2) fell behind early, and Litchfield called a quick timeout trailing 6-0 with 7:09 to go in the first quarter. The Cougars (18-10) (6-5) led 17-14 at the end of the first, but the Parkland defense opened the second quarter by forcing back-to-back turnovers and turned them into points, taking its first lead, 18-17, on an Abby Shepard fastbreak layup with 8:17 remaining in the half. Illinois Central fought back, retaking a 22-20 lead, but the Cobra defense held the Cougars scoreless for the next 4:48, and Parkland led 28-22 with 2:29 on the clock. The Cobras outscored the Cougars 18-8 in the second quarter, shooting 10-10 from the free throw line, and the team went into halftime with a 32-25 lead. ICC closed the deficit in the second half, taking a 40-39 lead with 4:34 left in the third quarter, and Parkland trailed 51-45. The Cobras struck back in the fourth quarter, opening with a 7-0 run to take the lead on an Alyssa Cole jump shot, forcing ICC to call a timeout just two minutes in. The Cougars quickly regained the lead, but back-to-back threes from sophomores Kenzey Decker and Jennifer Heinberg put Parkland ahead 60-59 with 5:21 to play. ICC continued to battle, tying the game at 62 on a three with 4:21 remaining, but a 9-0 Parkland run gave the Cobras a 71-62 lead with just over two minutes left. Parkland shot just 50% from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, but the team went 11-13 (85%) from the field and pulled out a 75-69 win over Illinois Central on Wednesday night.
Statistical Overview:
- Kenzey Decker: 14 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
- Alyssa Cole: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
- Shae Bell: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
- Jennifer Heinberg: 11 points, 3-5 3PT, 2 assists
- Chloe Gould: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Up next, the Cobras travel to Mattoon, Illinois, for their final regular season game against No. 12 Lake Land College. Tip-off against the Lakers (22-6) (9-1) is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
