(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College's women's basketball team moved a step closer to securing at least a share of the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. The Chiefs pulled away in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to take an 86-78 win over visiting Moraine Valley Community College. The triumph moved Waubonsee's league mark to 10-3, tying them with Prairie State College and McHenry County College atop the conference standings with one game remaining.
Prior to the game Waubonsee recognized its five sophomores playing in their final regular season home game. When the contest started Moraine Valley (18-10, 7-5) caught the Chiefs off guard and raced out to an 8-2 lead in the opening minutes of the game. Waubonsee (17-12) quickly responded with a 9-0 run to take the lead 11-8 before grabbing a 22-14 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Chiefs then extended their lead to 39-27 at the break by out rebounding the Cyclones 34-21 in the first half. However, Moraine Valley rallied to trim Waubonsee's lead to three points midway through the third period and trailed only 56-55 heading into the final quarter.
The game remained close throughout most of the fourth quarter. A driving lay-up by sophomore point guard Dajashina Clark put Waubonsee ahead 75-69 with three minutes to go. A key basket by Alexis VanWyhe with 1:37 remaining upped the Chiefs' lead again to six points at 77-71. Waubonsee then iced the game at the free throw line by making nine out of ten attempts in the final minute of play.
Mozelle Kempiak posted yet another double-double, the 44th of her Waubonsee career, netting 18 points and hauling down 16 rebounds. VanWyhe also talied 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out four assists. Hayley Farren chipped in with 15 points, including a trio of three-point baskets. Kandace Jones came off the bench to score 13 points, Kayla Battle contributed nine points and snagged 11 boards, Lauren Goff dished out six assists and Clark recorded four assists and two steals.
Waubonsee's next game is this Thursday, February 22, when travel to Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. The Chiefs are set to begin Region IV Division II Tournament play next Tuesday, February 27 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. For more information on Chiefs' Athletics go to www.GoChiefs.com.
