(Sugar Grove, IL) – Waubonsee Community College's women's basketball team held off visiting Oakton Community College to pull out a 70-68 victory in the third of five scrimmage games they have scheduled this Spring after not having a usual 2020-2021 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Oakton raced out to a 10-0 lead on the strength of three fast-break baskets. Waubonsee finally got on the board when Melia Perry scored from close range four minutes into the game. The Chiefs gradually climbed back into the game as Janiece Thomas nailed a three-pointer to get Waubonsee within three points at 12-9. Thomas then scored on a pull-up jumper with a minute left in the first quarter to get the Chiefs to within a point at 14-13.
The Owls carried that lead into the second quarter before expanding their advantage to 23-15 four minutes into the second period. A quick 8-2 run by the Chiefs, highlighted by a three-pointer by Lily Fernandez, got Waubonsee back within striking distance. The teams then traded baskets for much of the remainder of the second stanza. An offensive rebound and put-back basket by Maddie Jude with 0:45 left trimmed the Chiefs' deficit to 31-29. The score stayed that way heading into halftime.
The Chiefs finally took their first lead of the game two minutes into the third quarter when Elly Kuhn, the shortest player on the floor at 5'0" tall, snagged an offensive rebound and scored on a put back to make it 36-35 in Waubonsee's favor. The Chiefs led by as many as seven points before Oakton clawed their way back to within a point at 44-43 with two minutes to go in the quarter. The Owls then took a 47-46 lead when Madison Dorband scored on a reverse lay-in with 0:20 left.
Oakton tacked on a free throw in the final seconds of the third quarter to take a 48-46 lead entering the fourth. A trey from the right corner by Fernandez three minutes into the final quarter pulled the Chiefs even at 54-all. Perry then nailed another shot from long range on the Chiefs' next possession to put Waubonsee in front. A moment later Perry drilled another triple to give the Chiefs a 60-54 lead. Oakton again battled back and pulled within 60-59 on an inside basket by Amena Alexander. After an Oakton timeout, Alexander connected for a three-pointer to put the Owls in front. The lead was short lived though as Jude drained a three from the corner in front of the Chiefs' bench to make it 63-62 Waubonsee. Dorband then scored on a driving lay-up in traffic with two minutes remaining for a 64-63 Owls' lead.
After a Waubonsee turnover, Oakton misfired and Catherine Klein got the rebound and was fouled. The freshman from Aurora Central Catholic High School calmly sank both free throws to give Waubonsee a 65-64 lead. Oakton was then whistled for an offensive foul with a minute to go and Waubonsee scored again as Thomas drove the floor and dished off to Evelyn Martin for a close in basket with 0:50 to go. The Owls quickly scored on an inside basket to get within 67-66 with 0:30 left. However, Thomas again took charge as she raced up the court and nailed a pull-up 15-foot jumper with 0:20 left to put the Chiefs in front by three.
After another Oakton timeout, the Owls scored in the lane with 0:12 remaining to again make it a one-point game. Thomas was then fouled and made the first of two free throws with 0:06 left. The second charity toss by the sophomore from Oswego East High School rattled in and out and Oakton immediately called their final timeout upon corralling the rebound to advance the ball to mid-court with 0:04 to go. A minute later the Owls' final shot was well off the mark as the buzzer sounded.
Thomas led Waubonsee with 17 points and six rebounds, while making five of six from the foul line. Jude chipped in with 14 points and snagged five boards. Fernandez added 11 points on three of five shooting from beyond the arc, while also hauling down eight rebounds. Perry finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Waubonsee overcame committing 24 turnovers in the contest to move their record to 3-0 overall during this exhibition season. Coach Jim Williams' Chiefs are set to play again a week from today when they travel to Elgin Community College for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off against the Spartans.