(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College women's basketball team began the second half of its' season by hosting Elgin Community College on Tuesday evening. The Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) opener for both teams, the Chiefs (1-0, 7-6) and Spartans (0-1, 3-10) both looked out of sync at times after a 16-day lay-off during the Holiday break. In the end Waubonsee gradually wore down the Spartans and pulled away in the third quarter on the way to booking a 66-53 victory in Erickson Hall Gymnasium.
The teams traded baskets over the initial three minutes of play with Waubonsee holding a slim 6-4 lead after Abi Dietlin buried a 10-foot jumper from the left baseline. Both teams were sluggish offensively through the midway point of the quarter until Josie Rader knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the key and Anyae Newson scored on a short jumper a moment later to put the Chiefs ahead 12-6. However, the Spartans responded with an 8-0 run to grab a 14-12 lead after one period.
A driving lay-up down the lane and through traffic by Emily Mengerink knotted the score a minute into second quarter. Moments later a steal and perfect bounce pass by Savannah FitzSimons to Anna-Marie Godina for a lay-in put the Chiefs back in front. Waubonsee held a 21-16 lead midway through the second quarter as the Chiefs' man-to-man pressure defense began to pay dividends. Minutes later a post-up, spin move and lay-in by Newson gave the Chiefs a 28-20 halftime lead. Both teams did not particularly shoot the ball very well in the half as the Spartans shot 32 percent from the field and Waubonsee shot just 29 percent.
A triple from the left corner by FitzSimons pushed the Chiefs' lead to 33-22 early in the third quarter. Waubonsee then maintained a double-digit lead over the next several minutes of play. Another slick dish off by FitzSimons to Newson for another lay-in put the Chiefs in front 45-30 with three minutes remaining in the period. A fast break lay-up and put back basket by Makayla McNally closed out the period with Waubonsee taking a comfortable 52-35 lead.
The Spartans began the final quarter with a pair of three-point baskets to cut into the Chiefs lead. Waubonsee responded and kept Elgin at bay as time began to run out on the visitors. Inside baskets by McNally and Rader helped the Chiefs maintain a double-digit lead down the stretch. Newson led Waubonsee in scoring with 16 points and five steals. McNally finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals, while Godina also tallied 13 points to go along with four assists. Mengerink chipped in with six boards and four steals, FitzSimons added eight points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Rader snagged 11 boards and handed out six assists. Waubonsee is in action again this coming Thursday, January 9 when they host Aurora University's Junior Varsity beginning at 5:15 p.m. (CDT). Waubonsee's men are set to play at 7:15 p.m. that evening against ISCC foe Morton College.