Chargers Put Cougars’ Title Hopes on Hold Behind Lowe’s 7 3s
Aaron Frey
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 10:14 PM
Athletics
Galesburg, IL
Madison Lowe (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) had a birthday to remember.
The Carl Sandburg College women’s basketball sophomore celebrated her 20th birthday with seven 3-pointers, including back-to-back big treys in the final minutes, to help the Chargers knock off Arrowhead Conference leader Highland 66-57 on Tuesday night at John M. Lewis Gymnasium.
Sandburg (12-14, 5-4) prevented the Cougars (16-9, 7-2) from clinching at least a share of the conference title with a game to go in the league schedule.
Lowe hit three first-half 3s as the Chargers took a 31-25 lead into the locker room, then added four more in the second half, finishing the night 7 of 12 from distance and with a game-high 27 points.
Highland took a 45-43 lead on De’Azia Williams’ jumper to open the fourth quarter before the Chargers went on a 15-2 run to take the lead for good. Danayzia Stuckey (Peoria, Ill./Limestone), who tied a season-high with 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting, opened the burst with a pullup jumper, and Lowe followed with a 3 to give Sandburg the lead.
Highland got within 60-56 with 3:00 left, but Lowe delivered 3s on consecutive possession to push Sandburg’s advantage back to 10 with 2:00 to go.
“Maddy and Danayzia were lights-out for us, but it was a great team effort and great team win,” Chargers coach Mike Bailey said. “Hopefully we can keep it going Thursday and take some momentum into the postseason.”
Lowe and Willow Porter (Wyoming, Ill./Stark County) each had eight rebounds to lead Sandburg on the boards. Guard Alivia Cummings (Peoria, Ill./Limestone) totaled seven rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Chargers.
Naomi McKenzie scored 18 to pace Highland.
Sandburg will close out the regular season by hosting Kishwaukee at 5:30 p.m. Thursday on Sophomore Night.
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