NIACC women return to action Friday

PEORIA, Ill. – The NIACC women’s basketball team returns to action at 6 p.m. Friday in the opening round of the Illinois Central Tourrnament against South Suburban College.

If NIACC (6-5) wins Friday, the Lady Trojans face Illinois Central or Kishwaukee at 8 p.m. on Saturday. If the Lady Trojans lose their opening game, they play the Illinois Central/Kishwaukee loser at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The tournament features three of the nation’s top 10 teams in the latest NJCAA Division II women’s poll (No. 1 Lake Michigan, No. 7 Kirkwood and No. 8 Illinois Central).

“We look at this tournament at a time to get ready for the conference,” second-year NIACC coach Kelli Terrell said, “while playing against some of the top teams in the country.”

NIIACC has won five of its last six games dating back to Nov. 17. The Lady Trojans opened play in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference with a 75-65 victory over Marshalltown on Dec. 12 in Mason City, Freshman guard Chelsey Jacox (Plymouth, Minn.) led the Lady Trojans with a career-high 21 points.

“Our team was playing very well before the break,” Terrell said, “and we think this weekend will get us back where we need to be.”

Freshman guard Lateeka Thompson averages 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds to lead NIACC. Jacox (Plymouth, Minn.) averages 13.0 points and has 48 assists and 35 steals for the Lady Trojans.

South Suburban (8-5) is led by Ashley Huddleston, who averages 17.1 points per game, and Megan Majors, who averages 15.1 points a contest.

Friday’s games

2 p.m. – Lake Michigan (8-1) vs. Kanakee (6-6); 4 p.m. – Cincinnati State (11-1) vs. Kirkwood (10-3); 6 p.m. – NIACC (6-5) vs. South Suburban (8-5); 8 p.m. – Illinois Central (11-2) vs. Kishwaukee (8-5).

Saturday’s games

Consolation bracket games are at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Semifinals are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday’s games

10 a.m. – 7th place game; Noon – 5th place game; 2 p.m. – 3rd place game; 4 p.m. – Championship game.

Friday’s statistical matchup

NIACC South Suburban

Record 6-5 8-5

Offensive average 69.2 55.4

Defensive average 58.2 36.8

Field goal percentage 36.9 39.0

3-point percentage 25.6 25.0

3-pointers per game 5.5 2.6