Lady Indians upset No. 16 Co-Lin to advance to Region 23 Finals

CLINTON, MS – The Itawamba Community College Lady Indians handed the No. 16 Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves their first loss of the season 82-75 in the Region 23 semi-finals Friday night. 

Sophomore guard Jayla Chills (Ripley) scored a career and game-high 34 points, but none bigger than her lay up with just over three minutes remaining to give the Lady Indians the lead, propelling them to the upset win.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair and even though the Lady Indians (22-4) led by as much as seven, the previously unbeaten MACJC State Champion Lady Wolves held a two point advantage, 36-34, at the break.

The Lady Wolves (27-1) had momentum on their side in the second half allowing them hold onto the lead for the majority of the final frame.

Alontra Tucker (Lamar), Kaelin Kneeland (Olive Branch) and Chills led a charge to kill the Lady Wolves momentum. The trio accounted for 31 of the Lady Indians second half points including several late free throws to finish off the nation ally ranked Lady Wolves and advance to the Region 23 Finals.

Kneeland scored 18 points, followed by Tucker with 17.

The Lady Indians will face the Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats Saturday night at 6 p.m. The Region 23 Finals will be broadcast on LetsGoICC.com and heard on FM95 (95.7 FM) with the Davis Ford Pregame show beginning at 5:40 p.m.

For more information on ICC women's basketball, follow the Indians on Twitter (@LetsGoICC).