(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College women's basketball team steamrolled Harper College on Saturday afternoon in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. The Chiefs (11-7) broke the game open in the second quarter and coasted to a nearly record-setting 101-31 win over the Hawks (1-16). The 70-point margin of victory was the second largest in the program's history behind only an 80-point win over Illinois Valley Community College in 2021. Behind a suffocating defense Waubonsee dominated throughout the game and limited the Hawks to just 11 second half points in running away with the game.
Waubonsee's Savannah FitzSimons started the scoring when her three-point shot from the top of the key bounced off the front of the rim and backboard before falling through for a 3-0 lead a minute into the game. An offensive rebound and put back basket by Makayla McNally a short time later staked the Chiefs to an 8-2 lead. As the first quarter progressed Waubonsee doubled up on Harper, holding leads of 12-6, 14-7 and 16-8. Anna-Marie Godina then nailed a three-pointer from the left wing to give the Chiefs their first double digit lead at 19-8. The period came to an end with Waubonsee comfortably in front 24-11.
The Chiefs then started the second quarter employing a full-court press on defense and it immediately paid dividends. Waubonsee scored three quick baskets in the first minute and suddenly took a commanding 30-11 lead. Emily Mengerink then splashed a trey from the right side and Godina booked a triple of her own to push the lead up to 23 points. Another three, this time from Demayiah Gaines, officially turned it into a blowout midway through the second period as Waubonsee grabbed a 46-13 lead. Seconds later Anyae Newson scored in transition to cap a 24-2 Chiefs' run over a six-minute span. For the quarter Waubonsee outscored the Hawks 31-9 and headed to the break with a 55-20 lead after forcing 22 Harper turnovers in the first half.
The Chiefs then picked up right where they left off putting together a 16-0 run to start the third quarter. Waubonsee led by as many as 51 points and headed into the final stanza with a 75-26 lead. The fourth quarter began with a pair of lay-ins by FitzSimons as the Chiefs expanded the lead with a 12-0 run over the first four minutes of the period. A fast break basket by Josie Rader off a nice assist from Godina pushed the lead to 62 points midway through the quarter. Rader then buried a three-pointer and converted a pair of free throws moments later to make it 94-29. A minute later Aleksa Martinez connected on a three-pointer and Waubonsee eclipsed the century mark in the final minute on a pair of free throws by Abi Dietlin.
Five different Chiefs' players reached double figures in scoring led by Newson's 22 points to go along with four steals and six rebounds. FitzSimons booked 16 points and handed out seven assists while also recording five steals. McNally added 14 points and dished out seven assists, Godina also tallied 14 points and registered nine assists, and Gaines contributed 12 points. Rader finished with nine points and eight boards, and Mengerink chipped in with seven points, six steals, six rebounds and four assists. As a team Waubonsee compiled 32 assists on 38 made baskets. The Chiefs also recorded 27 steals and forced 42 Harper turnovers, scoring 63 points off those miscues.
Waubonsee is in action again this coming Tuesday, January 21 when they travel to Crystal Lake to take on McHenry County College starting at 5:15 p.m. (CDT). The men's contest is slated to start at 7:15 p.m. that evening. The Chiefs return home to Erickson Hall next Thursday, January 23 as they host Moraine Valley Community College in an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference match-up. Coach Jim Williams' Chiefs tip off against the Cyclones at 5:15 p.m. with the men's contest to follow at 7:15 p.m.
