QUINCY, Ill. – The No. 7 Parkland College women's basketball team escaped John Wood Community College with a 74-70 win on Saturday, January 20. The Cobras (15-2) trailed the Blazers (9-8) in the fourth quarter, but a late run lifted the visitors to their first conference road win of the season. In a game where every possession mattered, Parkland outrebounded John Wood 40-24, and the Cobras made the Blazers pay at the free throw line, going 21-23 (91%). Sophomore forward Alyssa Cole (18 points, 12 rebounds) recorded her 22nd career double-double in the win as the Cobras extended their winning streak to four straight games.
 
"It was a hard-fought game," head coach Jean Demosthenes said after the win. "We did not do a good job of taking care of the ball today, but I'm glad we came away with the win."
 
"Down the stretch, with three of our starters in foul trouble, we called on our reserve players, and they responded. That is a testimony of how we trust that every player on the team can step into the game when their number is called," Demosthenes proudly added.
 
The Cobras controlled the first quarter, leading 24-16 going into the second, and Parkland led 36-26 with 5:02 until halftime. The Blazers quieted the Parkland offense in the closing stages of the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 41-34 before halftime. John Wood kept momentum on its side in the second half, tying the game 43-43 with 6:50 to go in the third quarter. The Blazers took their first lead of the game, 48-45, with 4:51 on the clock, and the Cobras trailed 55-52 heading into the fourth quarter. Parkland quickly knotted the game up at 61, and an Alyssa Cole bucket put the visitors in front 63-61 with 6:34 remaining. Three straight successful trips to the free throw line put Parkland up 69-65, and the Cobras led by as much as 72-66 with just over two minutes left, but John Wood battled back, forcing turnovers and hitting shots to cut the score to 72-70 with 10 seconds on the clock. Sophomore Luka Wouters knocked down two clutch free throws down the stretch, and Parkland pulled off the 74-70 win.
 
Statistical Overview:
Alyssa Cole: 18 points (6-6 FTs), 12 rebounds, 4 assists
Lucy Fearday: 15 points, 6 rebounds
Megan Janson: 11 points, 5 assists
Abby Shepard: 12 points, 3 rebounds
Siarah Brown: 11 points, 3 rebounds
 
Up next, the Cobras continue conference play at home against Spoon River College on Wednesday, January 24. Tip-off against the Snappers (0-12) is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.