CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 11 Parkland College women's basketball team powered past John Wood Community College 82-69 at home on Saturday, February 17. The Cobras (21-3) (9-1) closed out the win after a late charge from the Blazers (12-11) (5-4) to improve to 15-0 at home this season. Freshman point guard Megan Janson led the way for Parkland, scoring a career-high 31 points, while sophomore forward Alyssa Cole (21 points, 14 rebounds) recorded her 14th double-double of the season in the win.

"We started our game very slowly and had to make some adjustments, and I felt that our team did a good job adjusting to what we asked of them," head coach Jean Demosthenes said after the game. "I am proud of this team and their ability to fight and endure the ups and downs of a long season."
 
The Cobras opened an early 16-12 lead over the Blazers in the first quarter, and Luka Wouters buried a three with 7:20 to go in the second quarter to put them up 21-12, their largest lead of the first half. John Wood rallied with an 8-0 run midway through the quarter, forcing Parkland to call a timeout, clinging to a 23-22 lead, and the visitors took their first lead of the game with just over four minutes remaining. Freshman forward Lucy Fearday recorded five offensive rebounds in the first half, regaining the lead for the Cobras with back-to-back second-chance buckets, and Parkland held a tight 27-26 lead going into halftime. In the second half, the Blazers capitalized on their momentum, retaking the lead, but Cobra forward Alyssa Cole knocked down a three with 3:53 left in the third quarter to put Parkland back up 41-39. The visitors answered quickly with a three of their own, but the Cobras closed the quarter on a 9-2 run, leading 50-44 going into the fourth. Parkland put the pressure on John Wood, racing to a 59-46 lead following Megan Janson hitting a three with just over seven minutes remaining. The Blazers did not go quietly, trimming the deficit to 75-66 with under a minute to go, but the Cobras closed out the win 82-69.
 
Statistical Overview:
Megan Janson: 31 points (10-13 FT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Alyssa Cole: 21 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals
Rhylea Johnson: 8 points, 6 rebounds
Lucy Fearday: 7 points, 11 rebounds
Abby Shepard: 5 points, 4 steals
 
Game Note: Megan Janson's 31 points in the win on Saturday matches the Cobras' season-high individual scoring performance. Forward Alyssa Cole also scored a career-high 31 points for the Cobras versus Millikin University JV on November 12, a 90-73 win at home.
 
Up next, Parkland travels to Spoon River for another conference matchup on Wednesday, February 21. Tip-off against the Snappers (0-19) (0-9) is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.