(Grayslake, IL) – Waubonsee Community College grabbed a 79-38 win at the College of Lake County to remain solidly in second place in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) women's basketball standings. The Chiefs improved to 8-2 in ISCC play and 19-4 overall on the season, while the Lancers dropped to 1-7 in conference action and just 3-17 overall. Morton College, ranked 11th nationally in the latest NJCAA Division II poll, remains on top of the standing with a 9-0 mark and 20-2 record overall. Waubonsee's two losses in ISCC play have both been to the first place Panthers.
In this road contest at Lake County, both teams were as cold as the winter temperature outside the gymnasium in the first quarter. The Chiefs led just 8-6 after the opening 10 minutes of play. A three-pointer by Brooke Heiman from the top of the key early in the second quarter put Waubonsee in front 14-8. However, the Lancers continued to hang around, tying the score at 16-all with three minutes to go until halftime. Another trey from the top of the key, this time by Janiece Thomas, gave the Chiefs a 21-16 lead a minute later. Moments later Thomas had a big blocked shot to thwart a Lancers' breakaway lay-up. Sparked by their defense, Waubonsee began to pull away and took a 29-18 lead into the locker room.
A pair of long-range baskets by Melia Perry early in the third quarter helped Waubonsee extend its' lead to 39-24. As the quarter progressed, the Chiefs' defense continued to cause Lake County problems as Waubonsee began to pull away. A pair of free throws by Perry with three minutes left in the period pushed the lead to 51-29. The Chiefs finished the period on a 9-0 run to take a 58-29 lead into the final quarter. Waubonsee carried that momentum into the final period as they blew the game open. By the time the Lancers scored again, the Chiefs had put together a 21-0 run and taken a commanding 70-31 lead.
Just as they have the last several games, Thomas and Heiman led the way for Waubonsee. Thomas finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Heiman tallied 20 points and snagged 10 boards as well. Perry ended the evening with 17 points, Jaylynn Vana hauled down 11 rebounds and Delani Kosner dished out 14 assists in the lopsided victory.
Coach Williams' Chiefs are in action again this coming Saturday, February 12 when they host Bryant & Stratton College from Milwaukee in an afternoon contest. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. The game can be seen live-streamed at https://vimeo.com/waubonseeathletics. A listing of upcoming events and athletics information is at www.gochiefs.com