Box Score MATTOON, Ill. – The No. 9 Parkland College women's basketball team dropped its regular season finale at Lake Land College 81-71 on Saturday, March 2nd. The Cobras (24-4) (12-2) could not keep up with the Lakers (23-7) (10-4) offense in the second half, as the hosts lit up the scoreboard beyond the arc to hand Parkland its first loss since January 27th. Sophomore Alyssa Cole (16 points, 14 rebounds) led the Cobras in scoring, recording her 17th double-double of the season in the loss.
 
"To beat a team like Lake Land, we have to play team ball on defense and offense, and today we didn't do any of those things," head coach Jean Demosthenes explained after the game. "We will go back to the drawing board and fix what we have to to get ready for regionals."
 
The lead changed hands back and forth in the first quarter before the Cobras went on a quick 6-0 run to lead 16-13 going into the second. The Lakers battled back in front 27-23 with 6:21 to go in the second quarter, but Parkland answered with a 9-0 run to take control again, and sophomore Alyssa Cole buried a three with 2:45 until halftime to give the Cobras a 35-29 lead. Lake Land scored just before the break, and Parkland led 37-36 at halftime. In the second half, the Lakers stormed ahead again, opening the third quarter on an 8-2 run, and the hosts led 52-46 with 5:34 on the clock. The Cobras came roaring back again, tying the game at 56-56 with less than a minute to go in the third, but the Lakers knocked down a triple and led 59-56 heading into the fourth quarter. Lake Land raced out to a 71-58 lead with 6:00 remaining, and Parkland couldn't come back again, losing 81-71 on the road.
 
Statistical Overview:
Alyssa Cole: 16 points (5-5 FTs), 14 rebounds, 3 assists
Abby Shepard: 14 points
Megan Janson: 11 points, 6 assists
Siarah Brown: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks
Rhylea Johnson: 9 points, 8 rebounds
 
Up next, the Cobras will begin postseason play at home on Wednesday, March 6th, versus Spoon River College of Lewis & Clark Community College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.