Illinois Central College (9-8) scored in the bottom of the seventh inning on a throwing error at the plate allowing Alyssa Burd to score beating Parkland College 3-2 at the CougarPlex in the annual “Pink Game”. The Cougars were led in hitting by freshman outfielder Gabby Akright with two hits including a lead-off home run. Freshman pitcher Cordan Jones tossed a two-hitter while striking out five Cobra hitters without any walks. Sophomore third baseman Raeshel Braden hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning for Parkland’s only offense in the game.
-Bob
Illinois Central College (31-4) women’s basketball team lost in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division II national tournament to Louisburg College (31-3)72-68 on Friday night at Lorene M. Ramsey Gymnasium. Olivia Gaines had a game-high 22 points for the Lady Hurricanes. Jazmine Parker and Tiffany Johnson added 15 points apiece to join Gaines in double figures. Demeisha Morris and Chanta Wright joined ShaVonn Watkins in double figures, with all three scoring 17 points for ICC. The loss puts the Cougars in the third-place game against fourth-seeded St. Clair Community College (21-10) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday
-Bob
Top-seeded Mesa Community College knocked off No. 9 and two-time defending champion Monroe College 53-50 in the first of two quarterfinal games Thursday night at the Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium at Illinois Central College. The Lady Thunderbirds (26-6) started out slow and didn’t even take the lead until a 3-pointer by Mariah Willadsen pushed the Thunderbirds ahead 17-16 with 6:40 left in the first half. Mesa led 27-21 at halftime. Nicole Tsosie led Mesa with 16 points. Willadsen and Mariam Ridgwell each added 10 for the Thunderbirds. Ly’Nasha Frazier led the Lady Mustangs with 16 points. “That was a very, very, very, very good team we just played and who are well coached too,” Mesa coach Kori Stephenson said after the game, a 53-50 victory for her team. “The kids just stepped up and took charge.”
-Bob
Kirkwood Community College (13-3) jumped out early for a double-digit first half lead using a 16-0 run that spanned 8:42 and held on to defeat the hosts ICC (13-3) 59-41 in the championship game of the Fairfield Inn and Suites Cougar Holiday Tournament at Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium. The Eagles had a rebounding advantage (52-34) and shot 47.9 percent from the field, led by Kianna Jacobs’ game highs with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Helena Rodriguez led the Cougars in scoring with 12 points.
-Bob
Kirkwood Community College beat the Cincinnati State Technical & Community College 75-60 in a first round game of the Fairfield Inn and Suites Holiday Tournament. The Eagles wore down the Surge who only had seven healthy players during the game at Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium in East Peoria, IL. Kianna Jacobs led Kirkwood in scoring with 21 points and Whitney Henderson added 13. Desiree Ash scored 15 for Cincinnati State, Brandi Henschen added 14 and Hannah Stephenson had 12. The Eagles advance to face top seeded Lake Michigan College at 6 p.m. Saturday.
-Bob
