(Sugar Grove, IL.) – Waubonsee Community College women's basketball team and Aurora University's Junior Varsity squad engaged in a back-and-forth battle Thursday evening in Erickson Hall Gymnasium. The Chiefs (8-6) rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to eventually pulled out a last-second 54-53 thriller over the Spartans (2-1) on a three-point basket by Anna-Marie Godina in the final minute. Waubonsee won the contest despite shooting just 18 percent (4 of 22) from three-point range and getting out rebounded by Aurora 57-36 for the game. Coach Jim Williams' squad off set those numbers by recording 22 steals and forcing the Spartans into 38 turnovers in the end.
A high arching three-pointer by the Spartans' Dallas Poll sparked the visitors to an early 5-4 lead. A 15-foot jumper from the right baseline by Anyae Newson kept the Chiefs in striking distance at 8-7 midway through the first quarter. However, on the strength of five baskets from beyond the arc Aurora built a 17-10 lead with two minutes to go in the period. Josie Rader then buried a trey as Waubonsee tried to keep pace. Rader followed that up with a lay-up slashing to the rim with half a minute left before the quarter ended with the Spartans leading 21-15.
Godina drilled a three-pointer from the right corner to start the second period signaling a sudden momentum change. A minute later Newson scored on a fast break lay-in to quickly get the Chiefs within a point. A short turnaround jumper and a left-handed lay-in by Makayla McNally highlighted an 11-0 Waubonsee run to start the quarter vaulting the Chiefs into the lead 26-21. The teams traded baskets over the next several minutes before Godina splashed an 18-foot jumper from the right side to push Waubonsee's lead back up to 34-28. However, McNally picked up her third foul with 0:12 left before the half ended.
Savannah FitzSimons scored on a driving lay-up in traffic to start the second half as Waubonsee went ahead by double digits 38-28. The Spartans battled back to get within six points while McNally was whistled for her fourth foul and had to go to the bench. FitzSimons then stopped the Spartans' momentum with a steal and fast break lay-up. Moments later Emily Mengerink registered an emphatic blocked shot as Waubonsee tried to hold off Aurora. Two minutes later the Spartans pulled even at 42-all when Katherine Rutherford scored on a drive to the basket. Poll then connected on another long three-pointer in the final minute to put Aurora in front for the first time since early in the second period. The Spartans' Jessica Oman then energized the crowd and her team when she stole the ball and launched a half-court shot at the buzzer that swished through the rim to give Aurora a 48-42 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Spartans carried that momentum into the fourth quarter building their lead up to 53-44 three minutes into the stanza. Thrust back into having to play catch-up the Chiefs suddenly went cold from the floor and still trailed 53-46 with five minutes remaining. Waubonsee finally broke the seal on the basket as Godina knocked down a triple from in front of the Chiefs' bench to make it a four-point game with three minutes left. A minute later McNally scored inside to make it a one possession game. Each team turned the ball over and the Spartans called timeout with a minute to go with possession of the ball. However, Aurora turned the ball over again on a 10-second half-court violation. Seconds later McNally found Godina in the right corner and the freshman from Aurora Central Catholic High School drained a three-pointer to give Waubonsee a 54-53 lead with 0:44 to go. A third straight Aurora turnover game the Chiefs the ball back with 0:35 remaining. Waubonsee ran the shot clock down and misfired with Aurora's Elizabeth Griswold grabbing the rebound and pushing the ball up the floor with only seconds left. The Chiefs fouled her in transition giving the Spartans the ball under the basket with 0:03 remaining. After an Aurora timeout they misfired at the buzzer allowing the Chiefs to escape with the win.
Godina finished with 15 points and five assists, while McNally booked 13 points and registered six steals. Newson added eight points and was credited with eight thefts on defense. Rader snagged seven rebounds, and FitzSimons handed out five assists and made three steals. The Chiefs will take to hardwood again this coming Saturday, January 11 when they host Highland Community College starting at 1:00 p.m. Waubonsee also plays at home again next week on Tuesday, January 14, when the College of Lake County comes to Sugar Grove for an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference match-up.
