Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 24 ranked Parkland College women's basketball team powered past Danville Area Community College (19-12) in the first round of the NJCAA DII Region 24 Tournament on Tuesday, March 4. Maliah Sparks had a big night for the Cobras (20-11), scoring a season-high 30 points to help lift Parkland to a 74-50 win. 
 
The Cobras went back-and-forth with the Jaguars in the first quarter, but two made free throws from Danielle Ruffin at the end of the quarter put the home team up 15-11. Parkland led for a majority of the second quarter, until the Jaguars tied the game 26-26 with 3:15 on the clock. The Cobras pulled ahead again before the half, and they led 33-30 at the break. The third quarter was much of the same, and the two teams were tied again 39-39 in the final minutes of the quarter. Parkland then went on a 10-0 run, and got the 54-43 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Cobras continued their run in the final period, shooting 50% from the field and outscoring the visitors 20-7 to earn the 70-54 win. 
 
Statistical Overview:
Maliah Sparks: 30 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals
Danielle Ruffin: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals
Trinity Harden: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
Savannah Shumate: 6 points, 3 rebounds
Stacie Vonderheide: 4 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists
 
Up next, the Cobras will face Region 24 No. 1 seed Lincoln Land Community College (29-2) on Thursday, March 6, in the NJCAA DII Central District Semifinals. The Loggers will host the game in Springfield, Illinois.