Sports News
Slack picked up and then some for ICC
Others respond to leading scorer's injury as hosts win tourney opener
December 28, 2008
By ADAM DUVALL
Reprinted with permission of the Journal Star
EAST PEORIA — Layups, runners, baseline jumpers, behind the arc and in the paint.
Second-ranked Illinois Central College scored at will in a 92-44 women’s basketball victory Sunday night over Kellogg (Mich.) at the Cougar Holiday Classic. ICC (11-2) faces Carl Sandburg (8-3) in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal tonight at Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium.
The Cougars shot 47 percent and three players scored in double figures, led by freshman guard Taylor Welch’s 20 points.
“We needed people to step up, and we’ve had people step up,” ICC coach Steve Garber said. “It was just a matter of who was going to.”
With leading scorer Haley Jones’ playing time limited by injury, Welch and classmates Mandy Kirby and Sara Hamilton picked up the slack.
The three combined to score 49 points on 20-of-30 shooting, including 7-for-7 from Hamilton.
On the other hand, Kellogg (3-9) was in offensive funk the first half. The Bruins didn’t get a field goal until 6:08 into the game, when
Amanda Henry’s rebound basket made it 8-2.
In the final 14:52 of the first half, Kellogg made just five more field goals. It committed 18 turnovers and trailed 41-14 at intermission.
Overall, Garber was pleased with ICC’s effort despite a five-day layoff.
“I think the kids did more than just sit around and eat over the Christmas holiday,” he said.
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