(Sugar Grove, IL) – Waubonsee Community College's women's basketball team pulled out a thrilling 55-54 win over the College of DuPage on Saturday afternoon in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. The Chiefs (1-2) led from the opening tip and held off the Chaparrals (1-1) all game until the final minute. Waubonsee eventually prevailed with a pair of clutch free throws in the waning seconds to earn their first win of the season.
On Waubonsee's first possession Paisley Booth connected on a long three-pointer from the right wing to start the scoring. Katie Baker and Angelina Schlinger each converted a pair of free throws to give the Chiefs a 9-1 lead midway through the first quarter. The Chaparrals gradually got on track offensively as the period ended with Waubonsee leading 15-8.
A great pass from Annika Bielskis to Kaila Schlinger streaking to the basket resulting in a left-handed lay-in made the score 17-10 early in the second quarter. A breakaway lay-up by Baker extended the lead to 22-14 with five minutes left until halftime. After a DuPage timeout Mi'Liyah Hodges buried a 17-foot jumper to give Waubonsee a double-digit lead. The Chiefs maintained that edge taking a 29-19 lead into the break.
In the opening two minutes of the second half the Chaparrals went on a 9-0 run highlighted by a three-pointer by Sierra Gibson to just beat the shot clock to make it a one-point game. However, the visitors were never able to take the lead. A trey by Baker and a put back basket by Ashleigh Wackerlin pushed the lead back up to 36-30 with four minutes remaining in the quarter. Waubonsee was barely able to hold off the Chaparrals taking a 40-37 lead into the final stanza.
Early in the fourth quarter Booth drove to the basket to score in traffic and was fouled. She completed the three-point play to put Waubonsee ahead 43-38. Baker then booked a three-point play of her own with a whirling move, hoop and harm as the Chiefs extended their lead back to double digits at 50-40 with six minutes to go. DuPage would respond with a 6-0 run over the next minute to pull within four. DuPage got within two points before Booth scored on a put back basket. However, a long three by the Chapparrals' Sarah Topps suddenly got the deficit down to a single point at 53-52 with a minute and a half remaining.
DuPage had a chance to take the lead with under a minute to go but Delmarea Willis' 15-foot jumped rattled in and out. Kaila Schlinger snagged the rebound and Waubonsee called timeout. After the half in play Schlinger was called for her fifth personal foul on a moving screen giving the Chaparrals the ball back with 0:32 left. An inside basket by DuPage's Madeline Maracich put the visitors in front for the first time and only time with 0:13 to go.
Angelina Schlinger was then fouled bringing the ball up the floor and proceeded to nail both foul shots to put the Chiefs back in front 55-54 with 0:08 remaining. After a Chaparrals' timeout the stage was set for a dramatic finish. However, Gibson's shot from the right corner in the was off the mark and Alexis Trousdale grabbed the carom to clinch the victory.
Booth finished with 18 points and six rebounds to lead Waubonsee in scoring. Baker tallied 11 points, grabbed eight rebounds, handed out four assists and made four steals. Kaila Schlinger booked 10 points before fouling out, while her sister Angelina contributed nine points, five assists, three steals and five boards. Waubonsee is in action again this coming Tuesday, November 14 when Joliet Junior College comes to Sugar Grove. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. in Erickson Hall Gymnasium, with the men's contest between the Chiefs and Wolves following at 7:30 p.m.