(Sugar Grove, IL. ) – Niallie Evans posted a 'triple-double' as Waubonsee Community College women's basketball team built up a big lead on Illinois Valley Community College and cruised to a 99-71 victory Tuesday evening in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. The Chiefs (2-1) led by as many 39 points before the Eagles (2-1) were able to chip away and get to within 14 points midway through the fourth quarter. But Waubonsee regained its footing and again pulled away down the stretch to cap off the Veteran's Day victory. For the game the Chiefs' defense forced 32 turnovers and compiled 28 assists as a team on the offensive end of the floor.
Both teams struggled to get on track offensively in the opening minutes before the Chiefs gradually found their shooting touch. Waubonsee eventually went ahead 10-3 on a free throw by Makayla McNally. A three-pointer by Josie Larson increased the lead to 15-6. A minute later a nice assist in traffic by Danielle Bulson to McNally for an easy lay-in helped the Chiefs extend the lead to 22-9. An inside basket by Nylah Mathews off a feed from Evans just before the buzzer made it 26-9 heading into the second period.
The Chiefs full-court pressure defense continued to give Illinois Valley trouble as Waubonsee began to pull away. A short jumper by McNally extended the lead to 32-12 just three minutes into the second quarter. By the time the midway point of the stanza came the Chiefs had built a 45-19 lead as Savannah FitzSimons baseline lay-up rolled around the rim and paused for a second on the back of the iron before falling through. Waubonsee kept rolling along putting together a 15-0 run to take a commanding 58-19 lead. However, the Eagles closed out the half on a 7-0 run as they finally showed some life.
Waubonsee held a 64-32 lead as the teams played evenly over the first three minutes of the third quarter. A trey by Bulson gave the Chiefs a 71-34 lead as the halfway point of the period approached. Illinois Valley again went on a short run to cut into the deficit before Larson scored on a putback to push the lead back up at 32 points at 77-45. Some sloppy play and 11 fouls committed by Waubonsee in the period helped the Eagles finish the quarter with an 8-0 run.
Illinois Valley started the final period with back-to-back three-point baskets to quickly cut the Chiefs' lead down to 77-59. The Eagles got to within 14 points before Evans broke the ice for Waubonsee scoring on consecutive trips down the floor. Anna-Marie Godina then connected on a triple to build the lead back up to 24 points with five minutes remaining. Moments later Larson buried a three from the left corner and FitzSimons scored on a breakaway lay-up to make it 96-67 with three minutes to go. Larson then drilled another trey as the Chiefs' lead ballooned over 30 points once more.
Evans had a huge all-around game with a triple-double. The sophomore point guard led the Chiefs in scoring with 31 points on 11 of 12 shooting from the field. The point guard also grabbed 10 rebounds, handed out 10 assists and made four steals. Godina finished with 14 points and three assists, while FitzSimons tallied 12 points, dished out three assists and made four steals. Larson booked 11 points, with McNally adding nine points and hauling down seven rebounds. Bulson also tallied nine points, distributed five assists and made four steals, while Kerry snagged seven boards and was credited with four assists. Waubonsee is in action again this coming Thursday, November 13, when they host Joliet Junior College beginning at 5:30 p.m. The men's contest between the Chiefs and Wolves is set to follow at 7:30 p.m. in Sugar Grove.
Makayla McNally drives to the basket Danielle Bulson scores on a reverse lay-up Savannah FitzSimons is fouled on a drive to the basket