(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Coming off a demoralizing, last-second 70-68 loss at McHenry County College, Waubonsee Community College's women's basketball team looked turn the tide on Thursday evening in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. However, it was visiting Moraine Valley Community College that pulled out a 77-68 victory in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) play. The Cyclones (10-10, 3-2) closed out the final five minutes of the game with a 15-4 run knock off the Chiefs (11-9, 2-3) on their home court.
Moraine Valley got on the board first when Deniza Fuentes tallied a three-point basket a minute into the game. Makayla McNally booked Waubonsee's first seven points to help the Chiefs garner a 9-7 lead early on. Anna-Marie Godina then sank a long trey to give Waubonsee a 13-12 lead midway through the first quarter. The Chiefs led by as many as six points before the Cyclones finished the quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 20-19 lead into the second quarter.
A pull-up 15-foot jumper by Anyae Newson kept the deficit at one point 22-21 early in the second stanza. Moraine Valley extended its' lead to seven points before Godina splashed another three keeping the Chiefs within striking distance. The Cyclones pushed the lead up to nine points until Emily Mengerink buried a triple from the left wing. Another triple by Mengerink and a turnaround, left-handed bank shot for two by McNally cut the lead down to one point at 36-35 with two minutes to go. A deep three-pointer by Josie Rader with 0:20 remaining knotted the score at 39-all heading into the intermission.
Waubonsee kept the Cyclones off the scoreboard the first five minutes of the third quarter but only scored five points themselves. The Chiefs maintained a three-possession lead courtesy of a put back basket by McNally with three minutes to go. A running one-hander from the left side of the lane by Newson moments later made it 53-48 in favor of the home team. However, Moraine Valley switched to a full court press and caused three quick Waubonsee turnovers. The Cyclones got within a point before Newson made a pair of free throws with 0:02 left to send things to the final quarter with Waubonsee leading 57-54.
Play became more physical as the fourth quarter progressed, and somewhat hectic and disjointed at times. The lead went back and forth with Demayiah Gaines drilling a three-pointer to put Waubonsee in front 62-60 with six minutes to go. A minute later Newson gave the Chiefs a 64-60 lead at the midway point of the fourth with a put back basket. However, the Cyclones suddenly went on a 9-0 run to grab a 69-64 lead with three minutes remaining. A driving lay-up by Savannah FitzSimons cut the deficit to three points as the game headed into the final two minutes of regulation. Godina then converted a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game with 1:40 to go. The Cyclones then delivered the knockout blow with a three-pointer, a steal and lay-in, and another steal to take a 74-68 lead with 0:50 left. The visitors then iced the game by making three free throws in the final half a minute.
For the game the Chiefs committed 31 turnovers, while Moraine Valley grabbed 30 offensive rebounds on the way to victory. McNally booked a double-double to lead Waubonsee, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with four assists. Newson also tallied 16 points, grabbed eight boards and made three steals. Godina finished with 11 points, FitzSimons handed out four assists, and Rader recorded four steals and snagged six boards. Waubonsee is in action again next Tuesday, January 28 when they go on the road to Chicago Heights to square off against Prairie State College. The Chiefs return home a week from now when they host McHenry County College beginning at 5:15 p.m. The men's contest is set to begin at 7:15 p.m. that evening in Sugar Grove.