(Sugar Grove, IL. ) – Moraine Valley Community College pulled away in the third quarter to down Waubonsee Community College 77-64 in women's basketball action on Thursday evening in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. In the process the Cyclones (19-3, 8-0) extended their winning streak to 18 games and remained unbeaten in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) play, pushing their league-lead to two games with six games remaining. The Chiefs (16-5, 5-3) dropped their second straight ISCC contest to fall three games back, while the College of Lake County (19-5, 6-2) moved into second place in the standings.
Waubonsee led throughout most of the entire first quarter until the Cyclones closed out the frame with an 11-0 run to grab a 17-12 lead. The visitors took their biggest lead of the half at 29-19 when Laila Houseworth made a steal and scored on a fast break. Waubonsee pulled to within four when Savannah FitzSimons scored on a drive to the basket before Moraine Valley's Danielle Dempsey hit a short jumper in the waning seconds to give the Cyclones a 33-27 halftime lead. Moraine Valley then broke the game open in the third period with an 11-2 run and then tallied the final six points of the quarter to make it 60-42 heading into the final stanza. Waubonsee would get no closer than 13 points the rest of the way as the Cyclones seemed to answer each time the Chiefs scored.
Makayla McNally led Waubonsee with 19 points and seven rebounds. Niallie Evans added 11 points, while Anna-Marie Godina booked eight points, and FitzSimons and Josie Larson each contributed seven points in the loss. Moraine Valley's Shakila Brownlow led all scorers with 25 points, including connecting on all nine of her foul shots. Jadea Johnson tallied 14 points, Houseworth scored 10 points, and Trajany Walker posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Overall, the Cyclones out rebounded the Chiefs 49-30 and owned an 18-2 advantage in fast break points.
Waubonsee is in action again this Saturday, January 31, when they host Truman College with a 1:00 p.m. tipoff in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. Waubonsee women's basketball Alumni Game will follow after the game between the Chiefs and Falcons (8-11). Over 35 former Chiefs' players are expected to be on-hand. Coach Jim Williams' crew is also set to be at home next Thursday, February 5, when they host Prairie State College in an ISCC match-up. The Chiefs and Pioneers are slated to tipoff at 5:15 p.m. with the men's contest to follow at 7:15 p.m. Both of those games can be seen 'live' at www.fan.hudl.com and then search for Waubonsee women's or men's basketball. Waubonsee Sports Information Specialist Steve Moga with be providing the play-by-play on both the broadcasts, with color analyst Kevin Broy also on the call.