In their home opener, the Cyclones kept things too close for comfort with Malcolm X College, but came through in the final seconds, winning 58-57.

Both teams started slow and kept the score close, ultimately tied at 16 at the end of the first quarter. The Cyclones traded the lead with the Hawks as both saw some turnovers. The Hawks took the lead at one point before Olivia Baxa tied the score on a clutch three-pointer. The Hawks bounced back but with two seconds left in the half, Keyshia Armstrong sunk a basket to get her team ahead 28-26 at halftime.

To start the second half, the Cyclones went on a run, leading by as much as nine points. However, the Hawks clamored back again, giving the Cyclones a 46-45 deficit at the end of the third quarter. Robin Stevenson scored first in the fourth quarter to get the Cyclones ahead but the vacillating score continued for the next 10 minutes. With the Cyclones holding a slim 58-57 lead and the Hawks in possession in the final seconds, Moraine Valley put on the pressure. Deniza Fuentes stole the ball to keep the Hawks from scoring and helped her team secure their first season victory.