Women's Basketball 2/13/2023 12:03:00 PM

Women's Basketball Knocks Off #11 Illinois Central

Jaguars beat ICC for the first time in over a decade

DANVILLE, IL - Saturday was an energetic day in the Mary Miller Gymnasium on the campus of Danville Area Community College. It's been at least over a decade since the Lady Jaguars have beaten the Cougars from Illinois Central, but that didn't stop DACC from going full force in the game on Saturday. Illinois Central was sitting at the #11 spot in the most recent NJCAA Division II polls coming into the game, which is somewhere they have been familiar with in years past. In the 2021-22 season, they were in the top 20 NJCAA polls throughout the regular season; majority of it being in the top 10. It's been the same for this season as well, where they have been able to stay in the top 20. While they're certainly a tough team in Region 24, Danville proved themselves in spectacular fashion on Saturday.

One of Illinois Central's leading scorers, Cierra McNamee, has been averaging 17.1 points per game this season, but DACC was able to hold her to only 5. Naomi Elliott and Miya Webb were held to 2 points, and the rest of the team was certainly cut down in scoring. The Jaguars did not let up at any point throughout the game, as the score sheet shows. The Danville team was able to grab 11 steals, 13 offensive rebounds, and 24 defensive rebounds. They shot 81.3% from the free-throw line and 47.5% from field goal range. Alexus Mobley led the team with 20 points, 4 steals, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Candela Nevares García added 15 points, Nevaeh Reaves had 10 points, 2 steals, and 4 assists, Brianna Hamilton, Rylee Dowers, and Sahara Kubwalo chipped in 8 points a piece, Hana Isahac had 4, and Tannah Ceader had 2. The final score was 75-69, and with that win, the Jaguars are now 13-7 on the season with only 5 games left in the regular season. Their next matchup is this Wednesday (February 15th) in the Mary Miller Gymnasium with tip-off starting at 5:30 PM against Parkland College.

The Danville men's team also faced off with Illinois Central on Saturday following the women's game. They came out with another victory against the Cougars with the score being 76-66. In last week's NJCAA polls, the Jaguars came in at #13, which is somewhere they've become familiar with as they have been a top 20 team all season. They've been a fun group to watch and Saturday was no different. They shot 50% from the 3-point line, 81.5% from the free-throw line, and 43.1% from field goal range. They grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, 32 defensive rebounds, and 5 steals. One of the most recent NJCAA Division II Players of the Week, Ramelle Arnold, was the leading scorer with 22 points. Kendall Taylor added 16 points, Stephen Atkinson had 13 points and 10 rebounds, DaMeriz Merriweather chipped in 11 points, and Tyshay Epps had 7. As the team approaches the end of their season, they are looking to stay a tough opponent coming out of Region 24 and maintain a strong record, which is now 17-4. Their next game will also be this Wednesday (February 15th) against Parkland College here at DACC, with tip-off starting at 7:30 PM.

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Players Mentioned

#32 Tannah Ceader: PG/SG; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#13 Hana Isahac: G/F; 5' 10"; Freshman

#23 Rylee Dowers: SG; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#35 Brianna Hamilton: G/F; 5' 9"; Freshman

#22 Alexus Mobley: G; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#2 Nevaeh Reaves: G/PG; 5' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#32 Tannah Ceader
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: PG/SG

#13 Hana Isahac
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: G/F

#23 Rylee Dowers
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: SG

#35 Brianna Hamilton
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G/F

#22 Alexus Mobley
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: G

#2 Nevaeh Reaves
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: G/PG