EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The No. 3 NIACC women’s basketball team wrapped up play in the Cougar Holiday Tournament with a 88-76 victory over Parkland College in the consolation game.
NIACC received 26 points from freshman Mandy Willems. Also in double figures for the Lady Trojans were Jada Buford with 15 points, Autam Mendez with 14 points, Alexa Loftus with 14 points and Kelcie Hale with 10 points.
Willems was 9 of 15 from the field, including a 6 of 10 performance from 3-point range.
Mendez led NIACC (10-3) with nine rebounds. Hale contributed five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
NIACC went 2-1 at the annual holiday tournament. The Lady Trojans topped Bryant & Stratton (Wisconsin) 77-70 in the first round and dropped a 84-77 decision to No. 4 Illinois Central in the semifinals.
Willems, Mendez and Hale all were selected to the all-tournament team.
NIACC (1-0 in the ICCAC) returns to action Jan. 9 at home against Iowa Central in a league contest.
NIACC’s 2018-19 season (10-3 overall)
NIACC 95, Illinois Central 89 (OT)
NIACC 104, Bay College 74
NIACC 111, Marshalltown CC 65
NIACC 126, RCTC 86
Trinity Valley CC 78, NIACC 73
Johnson County CC 82, NIACC 74
NIACC 120, Kalamazoo Valley CC 70
NIACC 117, Bryant & Stratton (Wisconsin) 95
NIACC 79, Northeast CC 68
NIACC 113, Southwestern 92
NIACC 77, Bryant & Stratton (Wisconsin) 70
Illinois Central 84, NIACC 77
NIACC 88, Parkland College 76
