CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –No. 4 Parkland College Women's Basketball (11-1, 5-1 M-WAC) lost its first game of the season, 70-74, to No. 6 Illinois Central College (11-1, 6-0). It was also the first Mid-West Athletic Conference loss of the season, dropping the Cobras out of first place.
 
Both teams came out ready to play, and there were multiple lead changes early in the game. The Cobras pulled ahead, 16-10, but the visiting Cougars went on a 9-2 run to end the first quarter leaving Parkland trailing by one, 18-19.
 
Midway through the second, the ICC lead had grown to nine points, 21-30, and eventually reached ten, at 24-34. The Cobras ended the half on a 6-2 run and headed to the locker room trailing by six, 30-36.
 
The Cougars were hot coming out of the break and jumped to an eleven-point lead, 34-45. Parkland pushed back and, midway through the period, trailed by only four, 41-45. ICC then scored nine straight to take its largest lead of the game, at thirteen, but a 10-2 Cobras run brought it back down to five, 51-56, by the 3^rd period buzzer.
 
In the fourth, the Cougars' Darria Edwards, who led all scorers with 27 points, continued to scorch the nets and helped build a 12-point ICC lead, 55-67, with just over 5:00 on the clock. Parkland scored eight straight points and crept to within four, 63-67, but was, ultimately, unable to overcome the deficit.
 
Peyton Crowe (22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals), who was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, led the Cobras in scoring. Also in double digits were Naomi McDaniel (12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Mady Harper (11 points, 3 rebounds).
 
Led by Shaelynn Bell (9 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals), Crowe, and McDaniel, Parkland out-rebounded the Cougars, 35-30. The Cobras made 25-of-29 free throws but had 26 turnovers, which was a key factor in the loss.
 
Up next, Parkland travels to Godfrey, Ill., for a conference matchup against Lewis & Clark CC on Sunday, March 7. Tip-off is scheduled at 1:00 pm.