ELGIN, Ill. - Aubrey Parsons took over the game in the second half as she led Judson University (9-14/3-5) to a come-from-behind win against Calumet College (13-15/4-4), 62-52. Parsons finished with 24 points and scored 21 points in the second half. She ignited a 15-0 run to start the second half to put Judson in front, 38-30. The first eight points were scored by Parsons and she finished scoring 11 of the 15 points. The win by Judson also breaks Calumets three-game winning streak.
This was Parson's eighth career game at Judson scoring 20 or more points and she was the only player to score in double figures. Alicia Rovertoni finished with eight points and 12 rebounds as she now has 858 career rebounds. She needs 22 rebounds to move into the third spot at Judson and 45 rebounds to become second all-time. Both Jackie Feldpausch and Lisa Upshaw had 10 points for Calumet.
The difference in the game came in two different halves. Calumet controlled the first half as they had a seven-point lead at the half, 30-23. They opened up with a seven-point lead in the first six minutes, 12-5, holding Judson to single digits until the 8:35 mark. Up seven points, Judson did react with a 10-0 run over six minutes as they took their first lead, 15-12, on a ShaRhonda Huff layup with 7:14 left in the half. Calumet then went on the defense again holding Judson to just eight points in the final 7:14 on an 18-8 run to finish the half.
Looking a seven-point deficit in the eye to start the second half after only shooting 33% from the floor and 12% from beyond the arc, Judson had to do something different. The senior, Parsons, took matters in her own hands in the first five minutes of the second half. It was her strong play that led Judson to the 15-0 run and eight-point lead, 38-30. She started the run on a three-point play just 15 seconds into the half and then hit a bucket 30 seconds later to cut the lead to two, 30-28. Almost two minutes later, she swooshed home a three-pointer to give Judson the lead for good, 31-30. Rovertoni put Judson up by three and then Parsons finished off her 11 points with her second three-pointer for a six-point lead, 36-30. Kirstin Johns ended the run with a layup, on an assist from Parsons, to complete the 15 point swing.
Calumet did make a valiant effort to come back coming within three, 41-38, at the 12:26 mark. Judson answered with a 17-1 run over six minutes for their largest lead of 19, 58-39. Calumet did not recover as they fell by 10, 62-52.
After shooting just 33% in the first half, Judson made 50% of their shots in the second half to finish shooting 42%. They made 30% of their three-point shots and only 57% from the stripe. Calumet made 29% from the floor, 26% from beyond the arc, and 76% from the line. Judson forced 24 turnovers but was out rebounded by Calumet, 45-30.
Judson now travels to Palos Heights, Ill., to face Trinity Christian College at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13th.