Lady Blues hold off Lawrence

The Illinois College women’s basketball team turned back a Lawrence University rally on Saturday and posted a 65-54 Midwest Conference victory on Saturday at Alexander Gymnasium.

Hannah McGinnis had a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds to lead Illinois College (7-12, 7-7 MWC). Holly Wohltman added 11 points for the Lady Blues.

Alex Deshler paced Lawrence (1-19, 1-14) with 17 points, and Chioma Ejimkonye added 11 points.

Illinois College led by as many as seven points in the first half, but the Vikings trimmed that margin to 30-28 at the break. Lawrence opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers from Deshler and Amber Lisowe, and Deshler then hit another jumper to take a 36-32 lead with 17:58 left.

Lawrence still led 43-42 before Brittany Williams’ layup with 10:19 left started an Illinois College rally. The Lady Blues scored the game’s 11 points, capped by Paige Cullison’s 3-pointer, to take a 53-43 lead with 7:22 left.

Lawrence answered with back-to-back baskets from Aubrey Lawlor and Jessica Robbins to trim the margin to 53-47. The Lady Blues then countered by scoring the next six points, and Lawrence got no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Lawrence returns to action on Feb. 11 when the Vikings host Beloit College.

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