(Sugar Grove, IL.) – A three-point basket in the final seconds by Hayley Farren lifted Waubonsee Community College to a 66-64 victory over visiting South Suburban College. The Chiefs trailed almost the entire contest before the sophomore guard nailed the clutch shot from the top of the key with 0:13 left. A defensive stop by Waubonsee as the clock wound down clinched the Chiefs' first win of the season.
Waubonsee only led in the opening minute of play and the final minute, but stayed within striking distance throughout. The Bulldogs (1-1) led 20-14 after one quarter and grabbed their biggest lead of the game at 30-21 with three minutes to go until halftime. South Suburban eventually went to the locker room with a 33-28 after Emily Uplegger scored on a put back basket just before the buzzer at the end of the second quarter.
The Chiefs (1-3) still trailed at the end of the third quarter 52-48 when the Bulldogs scored two quick baskets in the final seconds of the period. South Suburban led by no more than five points in the fourth quarter as Waubonsee stayed on the visitors' heels. The Chiefs got to within one point at 62-61 when Katie Beebe grabbed an offensive board and scored with three minutes to go. South Suburban then committed two fouls and misfired on five shots over the next couple of minutes to set the stage for Farren's heroics.
Jasmine Sheppard nailed a pair of free throws to give Waubonsee a 63-62 lead with a minute remaining. An offensive rebound and put back by the Bulldogs put them back in front with 0:34 left. Farren then buried the game-winning basket on the ensuing possession. A final South Suburban shot in the waning seconds was off the mark and eventually went out of bounds last touched by the Bulldogs with 0:05 to go. The Chiefs were then able to run out the clock to secure a hard fought victory.
Beebe finished with 14 points and seven rebounds to lead Waubonsee's offense. Shepard tallied 13 points, making seven of eight foul shots along the way. Farren ended the night with 10 points and three assists, while Kayla Battle snagged nine boards and Alexia Nicolai handed out six assists.
Waubonsee's women's team is in action again this coming Saturday when they host Northwestern University's Club Team at 2:00 p.m. Immediately following the completion of that game will be the inaugural Waubonsee Women's Basketball Alumni Game with over 40 former players expected to participate.