Ferguson, Sterricker lead ECC past MCC
Elgin Community College's win Tuesday night was an inside job. Center Tracy Ferguson scored 22 points and forward Sophie Sterricker added 17 as the Spartans defeated McHenry County College, 70-39, in an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference women's basketball game at the ECC Events Center.
McHenry, with only one sophomore on its 7-player roster and no one taller than 5-foot-10, simply had no answer for Ferguson and Sterricker inside. Brittany Armato and the other Spartan guards were repeatedly able to dump the ball into the post and Ferguson and Sterricker converted.
Meanwhile, the Spartans' defense clamped down on the Fighting Scots. ECC's pressure defense forced 24 turnovers that they converted into 27 points while holding McHenry to 36 percent shooting.
Meanwhile, despite the quick tempo, the Spartans committed just 9 turnovers.
"I think our biggest (stat) is 9 turnovers for the game," said ECC coach Jerry McLaughlin. "We were pushing the ball running and pressing, so that's really impressive for us."
Ferguson also had 10 rebounds, and Sterricker pulled down 8. Armato added 11 points and 5 assists. Lauren Gabler had 7 points and 3 assists, and Krissy Kunavich chipped in 6 points and 6 rebounds as all 9 Spartans in uniform saw action.
The Spartans (13-7, 3-1) are learning where to look for each other.
"We know each other, we know where we're going to be at," said Sterricker. "We've got really good team chemistry, so I always know Tracy's going to be there when I'm not going to be able to produce, and vice versa."
The Spartans put this one away early, blowing out to an 18-2 lead. The Scots used an 8-0 run to pull with in 9 midway through the first half, but ECC answered with an 11-0 run of its own to lead 37-17.
"We're never comfortable with where we are at," said Ferguson. "We've been in too many close calls with teams coming back."
ECC opened the second half with a 6-0 run to go up 45-19 and never looked back.
Jenae Taylor was MCC's only consistent offensive threat, finishing with 16 points. Amanda Knutson added 10 points for the Scots.