Box Score OLNEY, Ill. – The No. 16 ranked Parkland College women's basketball team hit the road and put their undefeated record to the test on Wednesday, November 16th as the Cobras continued their winning ways with a 75-58 victory over Olney Central College. The Cobras pulled away in the second half thanks to big performances from freshman guard Abby Shepard (14 points, 4-6 3PT) and redshirt sophomore Shae Bell (12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks) and a third career double-double from freshman Alyssa Cole (20 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists). Parkland's 6-0 start is their best since winning 10 straight to open the 2020-21 season.
 
After the win, Parkland head coach Laura Litchfield said, "We struggled early with execution and rebounding but Brooke Runge coming off the bench gave us the spark we and energy we needed. It wasn't a pretty game the whole 40 minutes, but we stayed mindful and hit shots and got stops when it mattered most. I'm very proud of our team for staying locked in."
 
The Cobras (6-0) traded punches with the Lady Knights (1-3) early in the game as the two teams ended the first quarter tied, 14-14. Parkland managed to build a small lead in the second quarter thanks to a big half from their bench and after a Shae Bell basket gave the Cobras a 33-28 lead with 1:29 remaining in the half, both offenses went quiet, and Parkland went into the half with a 5-point advantage. Under two minutes into the second half, freshman Alyssa Cole hit two free throws and the Cobras led by nine. The Lady Knights scratched and clawed their way back, however, eventually calling a timeout after trimming Parkland's lead down to 52-47 with 1:05 left in the quarter. Out of the timeout, Abby Shepard hit two huge three-pointers on back-to-back possessions and the Cobras led 58-47 with all the momentum going into the fourth quarter. Parkland came out of the break on a 12-5 run, looking in control down the stretch and outscoring Olney Central 17-11 in the fourth as the Cobras won 75-58 on the road.
 
Statistical Overview:
Shae Bell: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Alyssa Cole: 20 points, 10-10 FTs, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
Abby Shepard: 14 points, 4-6 3PT
Kenzey Decker: 11 points
Mallory Cyrulik: 8 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks
 
Up next, Parkland welcomes St. Louis Community College to Champaign on Saturday, November 19th. Tipoff against the Archers (0-4) is scheduled for 5:30 PM at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.