No. 10 NIACC edges No. 7 Illinois Central in OT, 95-89
MASON CITY - For the sixth straight season, the NIACC women's basketball team topped rival Illinois Central at the Konigsmark Klassic.
No. 10 NIACC edged No. 7 Illinois Central 95-89 in overtime Friday in the NIACC gym on the opening night of the annual tip-off classic. NIACC coach Todd Ciochetto's teams have also topped the Cougars the last four seasons at the Konigsmark Klassic and the 2013-14 Lady Trojans beat Illinois Central in Kelli Terrell's final season as head coach.
In Friday's game, NIACC (1-0 overall) led 62-34 at the half but need five extra minutes to claim the season-opening win. Illinois Central outscored NIACC 49-41 in the second 20 minutes to force the extra session.
NIACC outscored Illinois Central 12-6 in the overtime to win its season opener for the sixth straight season.
Freshman Jada Buford led the Lady Trojans with 26 points. Buford also had four assists, four rebounds and two seals.
The 26 points by Buford is the most points in a season-opener in the Ciochetto era. The previous high was 24 points by Savannah Lentz against NDSCS in the 2015-16 season opener.
Also for the Lady Trojans, Mandy Willems scored 18 points with eight rebounds, five steals and three assists. Tahya Campbell scored a career-high 15 points with a career-best eight rebounds and Alexa Loftus scored 11 points.
NIACC returns to action at 3 p.m. Saturday against Bay College on day two of the Konigsmark Klassic.
Notes: NIACC coach Todd Ciochetto has a career record of 94-38 ... Ciochetto's has a home record of 46-10.
HOME COOKING
NIACC's recent results vs. Illinois Central at the Konigsmark Klassic:
2018-19
NIACC 95, Illinois Central 89 (OT)
2017-18
NIACC 99, Illinois Central 82
2016-17
NIACC 95, Illinois Central 76
2015-16
NIACC 84, Illinois Central 76 (OT)
2014-15
NIACC 87, Illinois Central 79
2013-14
NIACC 101, Illinois Central 86
THE LAST TIME NIACC ....
Scored 100 points: 105 vs. Ellsworth (3-7-18)
Had 15 3-point goals: 19 vs. Iowa Central (3-10-18)
Had 50 rebounds: 53 vs. Illinois Central (11-2-18)
Had 20 assists: 24 vs. Iowa Central (3-10-18)
Had 15 steals: 16 vs. Illinois Central (11-2-18)
THE LAST TIME A LADY TROJAN HAD ...
50 points: 51, Trudy Peterson vs. Kennedy King College (11-21-15)
40 points: 42, Taylor Laabs vs. Southwestern (2-3-18)
30 points: 42, Taylor Laabs vs. Southwestern CC (2-3-18), 30, Mikayla Homola vs. Southwestern CC (2-3-18)
10 3-point goals: 10, Sammie Sproul vs. Ellsworth (1-16-16)
5 3-point goals: 5, Cici Kieger vs. Iowa Lakes (2-28-18)
10 rebounds: 11, Kenlie Pytleski vs. Ellsworth (3-7-18)
15 rebounds: 16, Khalilah Holloway vs. Kirkwood (1-17-18)
10 assists: 10, Kelsie Willert vs. DMACC (2-24-18)
5 steals: 5, Mandy Willems vs. Illinois Central (11-2-18)
10 blocks: 10, Anna Eckert vs. DMACC (3-5-16)
Double/double: Khalilah Holloway 10 points/10 rebounds vs. Southwestern (3-3-18)