No. 3 NIACC women place third at holiday tourney

EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The No. 3 NIACC women's basketball team wrapped up play in the Cougar Holiday Tournament with a 88-76 victory over Parkland College in the consolation game.

NIACC received 26 points from freshman Mandy Willems. Also in double figures for the Lady Trojans were Jada Buford with 15 points, Autam Mendez with 14 points, Alexa Loftus with 14 points and Kelcie Hale with 10 points.

Willems was 9 of 15 from the field, including a 6 of 10 performance from 3-point range.

Mendez led NIACC (10-3) with nine rebounds. Hale contributed five rebounds, four assists and one steal.

NIACC went 2-1 at the annual holiday tournament. The Lady Trojans topped Bryant & Stratton (Wisconsin) 77-70 in the first round and dropped a 84-77 decision to No. 4 Illinois Central in the semifinals.

Willems, Mendez and Hale all were selected to the all-tournament team.

NIACC (1-0 in the ICCAC) returns to action Jan. 9 at home against Iowa Central in a league contest.

NIACC's 2018-19 season (10-3 overall)

NIACC 95, Illinois Central 89 (OT)

NIACC 104, Bay College 74

NIACC 111, Marshalltown CC 65

NIACC 126, RCTC 86

Trinity Valley CC 78, NIACC 73

Johnson County CC 82, NIACC 74

NIACC 120, Kalamazoo Valley CC 70

NIACC 117, Bryant & Stratton (Wisconsin) 95

NIACC 79, Northeast CC 68

NIACC 113, Southwestern 92

NIACC 77, Bryant & Stratton (Wisconsin) 70

Illinois Central 84, NIACC 77

NIACC 88, Parkland College 76

When NIACC                                                   Then NIACC is

In November                                                    7-2

In December                                                    3-1

Plays at home                                                  4-0

Plays on road                                                   1-2

Plays on neutral court                                       5-1

Leads at halftime                                              10-1

Trails at halftime                                                0-1

Tied at halftime                                                  0-1

Plays in overtime                                               1-0

Scores less than 60 points                                 0-0

Scores between 60-69 points                             0-0

Scores between 70-79 points                             2-3

Scores between 80-89 points                             1-1

Scores between 90-99 points                             1-0

Scores 100 or more points                                 6-0

Allows less than 60 points                                  0-0

Allows between 60-69 points                             2-0

Allows between 70-79 points                             4-1

Allows between 80-89 points                             2-2

Allows between 90-99 points                             2-0

Allows 100 or more points                                  0-0

Game decided by 1-3 points                               0-0

Game decided by 4-6 points                               1-1

Game decided by 7-10 points                             1-2

Game decided by 11-14 points                           2-0

Game decided by 15+ points                             6-0