Box Score EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The No. 9 Parkland College women's basketball team prevailed 77-66 in a tough road test at Illinois Central College on Wednesday, February 28. The Cobras (24-3) (12-1) completed the season series sweep over the Cougars (18-11) (8-5) with the win, overcoming a two-point halftime deficit to earn their eighth straight victory. Parkland made ICC pay at the free throw line on Wednesday night, going 17-17 from the stripe in the win. Sophomore Alyssa Cole (24 points, 8 rebounds) led the team in scoring and rebounding, surpassing 1,000 career points for the Cobras, while guards Abby Shepard (11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and Megan Janson (8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists) tied for the team lead in assists.
 
"We started slow on defense, and it took us a little longer to figure out what they were doing on offense before we could make some adjustments," first-year head coach Jean Demosthenes said after the win.
 
"We know for us to win tonight – we needed to play defense and stay patient on offense. I'm proud of how we have come together as a family, trusted one another, and executed on both ends of the court," Demosthenes remarked.
 
"I am so happy for Alyssa Cole on hitting 1,000 career points tonight," Demosthenes added. "I'm proud of her and know she has a bright future."
 
The Cobras opened the game with a slim lead, but the Cougars roared back to lead 20-19 before the end of the first quarter. Illinois Central led by as much as 24-19 in the second quarter before Parkland powered ahead 28-26 on a Megan Janson runner with 3:02 left. The Cougars closed the first half with a 30-28 lead, but the Cobras caught back up early in the second half, tying the game 37-37 with 8:02 to go in the third quarter. Momentum stayed on the Cobras' side as the visitors took a 47-37 lead on an Alyssa Cole and-one with 5:39 on the clock, and Parkland held a 60-48 lead after a high-scoring third quarter. The two offenses slowed down in the final quarter, with the Cobras holding on to a 69-55 lead with 4:34 midway through, but a late rally from the Cougars cut it to 75-66 with 49 seconds remaining. Parkland remained perfect at the free throw line (17-17) to preserve the lead, and the Cobras closed out the 77-66 win.
 
Statistical Overview:
Alyssa Cole: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
Rhylea Johnson: 13 points, 6 rebounds
Abby Shepard: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Siarah Brown: 10 points
Megan Janson: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
 
Up next, the Cobras wrap up their regular season at Lake Land College on Saturday, March 2nd. Tip-off against the Lakers (22-7) (9-4) is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Mattoon, Illinois.