Rally falls short as women's basketball drops game to Cyclones

Joliet Junior College women's basketball couldn't overcome a cold start Thursday as the Wolves fell to visiting Moraine Valley, 73-56.

The Wolves (5-3), who were short-handed and played just five players all game, fell behind in the opening frame, 27-8. They battled back to make it 40-25 at the half.

"It's something we're familiar with," Wolves coach Shaun Sanderson said. "Just because we're down one player, we still have got to execute. We know the numbers are low but we're not going to let that be our excuse. When we couldn't get a bucket and couldn't get a rebound, that allowed them to get transition baskets."

Three Wolves recorded a double-double in the game: sophomore Kiyah Robertson finished with 19 points and 17 rebounds; freshman Jazlynn Foster finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds; and freshman Demi Page finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. 

Freshman Joyce Tua-Link also scored 12 points in the loss.

At the end of the third quarter, Robertson went down with what ended up being a cramp. The Wolves began the final frame with just four before she returned after a quick rest on the bench.

"She's one of two players suffering from a little cold, so she's not very hydrated," Sanderson said. "She had a cramp towards the end there so they massaged it out, stretched it out. But she gave us all she had."

The Wolves were further hindered later in the fourth quarter when Foster fouled out. The Wolves managed to cut the Cyclones' lead to within seven before the rally stalled.

Sanderson and his team have a week off before they have three games in three days next week, beginning with Elmhurst College (JV) on Thursday at the JJC Event Center. 

"We should have everybody back," said Sanderson. "We'll have six for next week and eight the following week. We just got to take care of our bodies and get back to the lab and be able to execute."