The College of DuPage women's basketball program was slow out of the gate to start 2026 against the Marian-Ancilla Chargers on Saturday, Jan. 3. Despite being down 35-17 at the break, a second-half comeback made it a much closer ballgame. After forty minutes, Ancilla held on to a nine-point victory, 71-62.

COD could only muster six points in the first quarter before doubling the production to an eleven-point second period. 

Despite DuPage's defense grabbing more rebounds, coming away with more steals and coaxing more turnovers, the Chargers were lacing shots from inside the line to a tune of 63% which evened out their quiet three-point shooting (3-18) and free-throw shooting (14-28). 

Coach Kristin Ison's halftime adjustments paid off for the offense, who rattled off a 22-point third and a 23-point fourth quarter to bring the ballgame to within single-digits despite being down by as many as 28 in the game.

COD was led by Kaisje Pryor's 20-point night with four makes from three-point range, while Ayaani Gusman pitched in a 12-point-10-rebound double-double. Jamie Hasemann fought for nine points and eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass. Lexi Lopex registered the lone Chaparral block. 

DuPage (2-11) returns to PEC Arena on Monday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. against Kenendy-King College (11-3). The Statesmen handled COD easily in Chicago to the tune of an 80-59 contest earlier this season; Gusman led Chaps scorers with 13 in that December game.