Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Parkland women's basketball cut the No. 10 Lincoln Land lead to as close as four points with under a minute to go, but couldn't pull off the upset, dropping the M-WAC matchup, 66-59. Sophomore guard Crystal Mathis led the Cobras with 19 points to tie her season high, while sophomore forward Micah Tapscott contributed 15 points and nine rebounds.
 
Hitting her fifth three of the night, Crystal Mathis brought Parkland to within a 63-59 deficit with just under a minute remaining on Wednesday night. However, the tenth-tanked Loggers netted free throws down the stretch to hold off the late run by Parkland after the Cobras trailed by 11 entering the final quarter.
 
Parkland led Wednesday's contest for the opening part of the first quarter, sprinting out to an 11-5 lead. Finishing the quarter down by three, 19-16, Lincoln Land created separation in the second period with a 20-13 advantage in the quarter to lead 39-29 at the half.
 
Scoring in double figures for the third time in her last four games, Mathis connected on a season-high five three pointers to pace her team-leading 19 points. Overall, Mathis shot 46-percent from the field.
 
Falling just one rebound short of a double-double, Tapscott again led Parkland's post production with 15 points and nine rebounds. Active on the offensive glass, the sophomore forward grabbed five of her nine rebounds for second chance opportunities.
 
Supporting Mathis and Tapscott on the night were five-plus rebounds from Emily Meinert (six rebounds), Cassie Russo (five rebounds) and Shoente'ra Russell (nine points, five rebounds), while point guard Olivia Babcock dished out six assists.
 
Up next, Parkland concludes its lengthy road swing with a trip to Quincy, Ill., on Saturday, February 23, for a 1 p.m. tipoff against John Wood. The Cobras return home next week to conclude the regular season against Illinois Central (Feb. 27) and Lewis & Clark (March 2).