Lake Land Women Claim Win, Parkland Falls At NJCAA Division II National Basketball Tournament

The Lakers downed Jackson College, 80-70. The two teams played to a 22-22 opening quarter and Jackson College moved into a 45-34 halftime lead.

Lake Land came back with a 22-18 third quarter to pull within 63-56 going into the final period.

Sydney Richards, a Neoga graduate, then went to work. Richards hit a layup at 7:50 and Audri Spencer put in a free throw and the Lakers were within four.

A steal by Teutopolis graduate Kaylee Niebrugge at 7:30 and a layup by Richards pulled the Lakers within 63-61.

Niebrugge pulled down a defensive rebound and Richards hit the tying basket on an assist by Niebrugge.with 6:38 on the clock. 

Jackson College regained the lead but a bucket by Mikahya French pulled the Lakers ahead 67-66.

Richards then blocked a shot at the 4:42 mark. Audri Spencer hit a jump shot and the Lakers moved into a 69-66 lead.

Richards put in a jump shot at the 3:10 mark on an another assist by Niebrugge for a 71-66 lead.

Again Richards scored at the 3:10 mark and the Lakers moved into a 73-66 lead.

It then came down to free throws as Katelyn Littleton hit one with 36 seconds remaining. Spencer connected on two with 29 ticks on the clock. Littleton scored with 24 seconds remaining and Niebrugge put in two free throws for the winning 80-70 margin.

Richards led the way for Lake Land on 10 of 15 baskets and one of one at the free throw line for 21 points. She pulled down 10 rebounds, had one steal and four blocked shots.

Spencer added 19 points. Also in double figures were Niebrugge with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She also had three assists and two steals. Littleton also added 15.

T-town's Isabella Hardiek competed and had two rebounds and one blocked shot.

Iowa Western downed Parkland College, 88-74. Two area players are on the Parkland roster.

Effingham High School graduate Lucy Fearday was in the game for 18 minutes. She hit one of three field goals and one of two at the free throw line for three points. She pulled down four rebounds. Also a member of the team was Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City graduate Gracie Heckert who did not play in the game.

In other games in the tournament, Pima 78, Coastal Alabama 49; North Central Missouri 79, Southwestern Michigan 63; Mid Michigan 79, Bryant & Stratton 63 and Mesa 65, Southern Arkansas University 58.

Today's schedule includes: Pima vs. CCBC Essex at 9 a.m., North Central Missouri vs. Johnson County at 11 a.m., Lincoln Land vs. Union at 1 p.m., Mid Michigan vs. Rock Valley at 3 p.m. Harcum vs. Morton at 6 p.m. and Lake Land vs. Kirkwood at 8 p.m.