PEORIA, Ill. – The NIACC women’s basketball team topped South Suburban College 68-55 in the opening round of the Illinois Central tournament on Friday.
Freshman Jessica Rogers led NIACC with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
NIACC (7-5 overall) also recieved 12 points and four rebounds from freshman Taylor Bianchi.
NIACC, which has won six of its last seven games, plays either No. 8 Illinois Central or Kishwaukee in Saturday’s semifinals at 8 p.m. Illinois Central and Kishwaukee played the last first round game Friday night.
In Friday’s game, NIACC trailed 25-24 at the half, but outscored South Suburban 44-30 in the second half to claim the first-round win.
“We dusted off the cobwebs in the first half and came out a lot stronger in the second half,” NIACC coach Kelli Terrell said. “The team fell back into some bad habits we had earlier in the year.”
NIACC dropped a 71-56 decision on Nov. 8 to Illinois Central at the Konigsmark Klassic in Mason City.
“We need to continue improving each game,” Terrell said. “The competition isn’t going to get any lighter. Overall, we are happy with the win.”
