Lady Blazers Win Big On Sophomore Day
The John Wood Women's Basketball team welcomed Region 24 opponent Illinois Central College today for a chance to hold a first round play in game during next week's Region 24 Tournament.
John Wood would start out slow until a much-needed layup by sophomore Alexis Pohlman at the four-minute make in the first quarter tied the game at seven all. John Wood wouldn't score again until 25 seconds left in the first quarter, after another layup from Pohlman with an assist from freshman Katey Flynn. Unfortunately, that will be the last basket for John Wood and would be down 14 to 9 at the end of the first quarter buzzer.
The second quarter would see the Lady Blazer come out with some life after a three pointer from the right wing by freshman Madi Doran to bring the score to 19-12 in favor of ICC with seven minutes left in the half. Katey Flynn would add to that score by contributing a three of her own during their next possession. Freshman Blair Eftink would contribute a three of her own with three minutes left in the half. That basket would help John Wood cut the lead to 22-18 and start clicking on all cylinders. Pohlman would strike again with another fast break layup to help John Wood go into halftime down just 28-20.
John Wood would come out of half time with new life and use the hot hand of Dupree and Doran to start rolling. Doran would nail a clean swishing three pointer from the left wing at the five-minute mark to help bring the score to 35-27. Dupree would a three of her own their next possession down the floor and bring John Wood to being down by just five points. John Wood would strike again just 28 seconds later, after a layup from Pohlman. That basket would bring the score to 35-32 with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Madi Doran would strike again and nail a three from the top of the arch to tie the game 37-37 with a little over a minute left in the quarter. Back-to-back free throws from Alexis Pohlman would help John Wood close out the quarter with the lead now in their favor by the score of 41-37.
The fourth and final quarter would be all John Wood, as they would use stellar defense to get Illinois Central College out of their groove. Three free throws from Alexis Pohlman would help sure the 61-52 Lady Blazer victory.
The Lady Blazers will welcome ICC again next Wednesday (March 6th) for the Region 24 Quarter final play in game. The game will be at 5:30pm in the Student Activity Center, with the men to follow at 7:30pm with their quarter final game.
Leading Scorers for John Wood:
Jada Dupree: 19 points, 2 assists, and 5 steals
Alexis Pohlman:17 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals
Madi Doran: 9 points and 4 rebounds
Katey Flynn: 7 points ,10 rebounds, and 4 assists