CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 8 Parkland College women's basketball team bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 68-45 win over Schoolcraft College on Saturday, December 30. The Cobras (11-1) jumped out to a big first-half lead, but the Ocelots (8-3) battled back in the third quarter before Parkland closed out the win down the stretch. Freshman Siarah Brown led all scorers with 15 points, and sophomore Rylea Johnson (10 points, 11 rebounds) recorded the first double-double of her Parkland career. The Cobras went 18-21 (85.7%) from the free throw line in the second half and held the Ocelots to 2-19 (10.5%) from three in the win.
 
"This team's intensity and commitment to wanting to work hard paid off today," Parkland head coach Jean Demosthenes said after the win. "Even though they didn't get to spend a lot of time with their families during the break, the tenacity and intensity they brought on the court was amazing. I'm sure their parents are proud to see it. The hard work they've put in is paying off."
 
"Our defense improved over the break for sure," Demosthenes added. "We were able to throw some stuff at them, and they knew what to do, which is nice as a coach to know you have the players to execute it."
 
The Cobras struck first with a quick 7-0 run, and Parkland led 11-2 when Schoolcraft called timeout with 6:11 to go in the first quarter. Parkland shot 6-12 from beyond the arc in the first half, producing 18 assists and closing the second quarter on a 10-0 run to lead 34-16 at halftime. The Schoolcraft defense tightened up in the second half, powering an 11-1 run to cut the deficit to 36-27 with 5:47 left in the third quarter. The Ocelots got it as close as 40-33 with 3:00 on the clock, but the Cobras started to get to the free throw line and never looked back. Parkland went 12-15 from the stripe in the fourth quarter to close out Schoolcraft and secure the 68-45 win.
 
Statistical Overview:
Siarah Brown: 15 points, 4-7 3PT
Alyssa Cole: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
Megan Janson: 13 points, 4 assists, 3 steals
Abby Shepard: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals
Rylea Johnson: 10 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks
 
Up next, the Cobras travel to Lake Worth, Florida, to compete in the Palm Beach State College New Year's Classic. Parkland opens play against No. 10 Union County College (10-2) at noon EST on Friday, January 5.