(Malta, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College's women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in downing Kishwaukee College 71-39 before a spirited crowd in Malta. The Chiefs (5-3) got a big game from center Makayla McNally and held the Kougars (1-10) to just 19 percent shooting (12 of 64) overall to secure head coach Jim Williams' 100th career win at Waubonsee. For the game the Chiefs out rebounded Kishwaukee 64-48 with 24 of those being on the offensive end of the court. Williams' team also blocked a dozen Kougar shot attempts and owned a 38-12 advantage regarding points in the paint.
The Chiefs raced out to an early lead and extended it to double digits with two minutes remaining in the first quarter when Savannah FitzSimons knocked down a three-pointer to make it 19-8. Waubonsee carried a 21-9 heading into the second period and Anna-Marie Godina added to it with a triple of her own from the top of the key. An 11-2 run staked the Chiefs to a commanding 32-11 lead midway through the quarter. Kishwaukee responded with a quick little 5-0 run before McNally drilled a jumper from the top of the key. The Kougars finished off the first half with a 10-2 run over the final five minutes of play to trim Waubonsee's lead to 34-21 at the break.
The initial two minutes of play in the third quarter were fast and frenzied, but neither team could score. McNally then connected on a turnaround, baseline jumper from seven feet away to start a back-and-forth sequence over the next three minutes of action. Kishwaukee pulled to within 10 points at 40-30 and Williams called timeout to settle his young squad down. The youthful Chiefs, with nine freshmen and just one sophomore, quickly answered to put the game away. McNally booked a pair of three-point plays and Godina buried a three-pointer from the top of the key to cap an 11-0 run and give Waubonsee a 51-30 lead. The Chiefs then carried a 21-point advantage into the fourth quarter and pushed it up to 61-34 a minute later. Williams' crew extended the lead to 30 points with four minutes remaining and grabbed their biggest lead at 68-34 a minute later.
McNally finished with a double-double scoring 16 points and snagging 17 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end of the floor. The 5'11" freshman center also blocked five shots, handed out four assists and went 4 for 4 from the foul line. Godina also tallied 16 points, made four shots from long range, grabbed six boards, dished out three assists and recorded three steals. Anyae Newson chipped in with 13 points, while FitzSimons contributed 12 points, corralled eight rebounds and registered four steals. Abi Dietlin hauled down 10 rebounds and blocked three shots, Emily Mengerink grabbed six boards and made three steals in the win.
Waubonsee is in action again this coming Thursday, December 12 when they travel to the College of DuPage. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. in Glen Ellyn with the men's contest to follow at 7:30 p.m. The Chiefs return to Erickson Hall Gymnasium next Tuesday, December 17 when they host Black Hawk College in their final home contest of 2024. That game between the Chiefs and Braves is scheduled to also begin at 5:30 p.m. with the men's contest following at 7:30 p.m. as well.