Bass Breaks Single-Season Steal Record In MWC Semifinal Loss To Knox

RIPON, Wis. - The Illinois College women's basketball team made its third-straight appearance to the Midwest Conference Tournament that featured a trilogy matchup against Knox College Saturday evening in Weiske Gymnasium. The Lady Blues battled the Prairie Fire but fell short in this semifinal decision by the final score of 80-97. IC finishes the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 15-11 and 10-6 in conference play.  
   
At the 3:03 mark in the third quarter, Kendra Bass etched her name into the IC women's basketball history record book as became the NEW ALL-TIME single-season steals record holder with her 79th steal of the season. Bass ended the game with a total of four steals that put her season total to 81 steals. This record-breaking performance broke Candy Norville's record of 78 from the 2008-09 season.     

The trilogy decision began with both teams exchanging baskets to an 8-7 IC lead that included four points from Jayln Patterson. Shortly later, Sarra Faust increased the lead to four at 12-8 with a basket in the paint. IC closed out the first quarter on a 8-2 run that started on a Patterson basket in the paint. Also in the run, Anna McKee, Ashlyn Wightman, and Bass each netted a basket that gave IC the 20-12 lead.   

The Lady Blues opened the second quarter on a 7-2 run that started on a three-point basket from Madison Webb. Following the Webb basket, Wightman and Patterson each netted a basket that gave IC the 27-14 advantage. The Prairie Fire answered with a 10-0 run that was eventually snapped on a McKee fast-break layup that gave IC the five-point lead at 29-24. Knox closed out the first half with a 15-4 run that as the Lady Blues trailed 33-39 at the break.  

Bass opened the Lady Blues scoring in the third quarter with seven straight points for IC the cut the deficit to one at 40-41. Shortly later, Maya Smith started a 5-2 run with a three-point basket as Wightman added a basket in the paint that made the score 45-47. Knox answered with an 8-0 run that increased the deficit to 45-55. IC responded with a 7-2 run that started on a Patterson conventional three-point play as Wightman and Webb added with a basket that cut the deficit down to five at 52-57. Knox closed out the quarter on a 7-0 run that made the score 52-64.

Patterson opened the fourth quarter by scoring seven of the first eight points for IC as Bass added a free-throw that made the score 58-72. Less than a minute later, Wightman started a 9-2 run with a basket in the paint. Following the basket by Wightman, Bass added four consecutive points as Patterson capped it off by converting her second conventional three-point play of the night that cut the deficit down to 10 at 69-79. Following the basket from Patterson, Knox increased the lead back to 15 at 69-84 with back-to-back baskets.  

With just under four minutes remaining, Bass started 7-2 run with a fast-break lay-in that was followed by a basket by Smith. Webb capped off the run with her second three-point basket of the game that cut the deficit down to 10 at 78-88. However, Knox closed out the game from by making nine-of-12 from the free-throw line.  

For the game, Patterson led the Lady Blues in points and rebounds with career-highs in both categories that included 23 points and 15 rebounds which was her seventh double-double of the season. Bass ends her collegiate career adding 20 points and a team-high six assists. Wightman recorded her ninth double-double of the season by contributing 10 points and 10 rebounds while swatting away five shots.