CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 8 Parkland College women's basketball team returned home from Florida to deliver a 93-45 win over Lewis & Clark Community College on Saturday, January 13. The Cobras (13-2) jumped out to an early lead over the Trailblazers (1-8) and never looked back, winning their first conference game of the season. Parkland outscored LCCC 42-4 in the paint, and the Cobras held the Trailblazers to just 16-58 (23.1%) from the field. Returning All-American Alyssa Cole (24 points, 11 rebounds) led all scorers, and freshman Siarah Brown (16 points,3 assists, 3 steals) went 3-4 from deep in the win.
 
"I think the most important thing is our team is starting to play together," Cobra head coach Jean Demosthenes said after the win. "They're starting to believe in the process, and I'm glad to see we're coming together at the right time."
 
"Our goal right now is to get healthy. It's never good going into conference play with nagging injuries, so hopefully we get our players healthy so we can make a run," Demosthenes concluded.
 
The Cobras opened the game on a 12-0 run, leading 26-10 at the end of the first quarter, and another 6-0 run to begin the second forced a Trailblazer timeout with Parkland up 35-12 with 6:15 until halftime. Parkland outscored Lewis & Clark CC 16-4 off turnovers in the first half, raising the lead to 50-19 at halftime. The Parkland lead continued to grow in the second half thanks to a balanced attack, and the hosts led 76-30 heading into the fourth quarter. The Cobras extended their lead in the final period, outscoring the Trailblazers in all four quarters of a 93-45 win.
 
Statistical Overview:
Alyssa Cole: 24 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals
Abby Shepard: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals
Siarah Brown: 16 points, 3 assists, 3 steals
Megan Janson: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists
Lucy Fearday: 11 points, 5 rebounds
Luka Wouters: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
 
Up next, the Cobras host Danville Area Community College on Wednesday, January 17. Tip-off against the Jaguars (11-5) is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.