Box Score

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - In the Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team's first regular season game of 2012-13, the Titans fell to nationally-ranked Mount Union, 73-68, at the Stauffer-Wolfe Arena Friday (Nov. 16) night at the Manchester College Tip-Off.

No. 5-ranked IWU now kicks off the season with an 0-1 record, while the Purple Raiders jump to 1-0.

The Titans had four players in double digits, as junior post player Shelby Jackson led the Titans on offense with 21 points. Junior Katy Seibring came off the bench and had 15, senior guard Melissa Gardner posted 12, and senior Michelle Bilek knocked in 10 points.

IWU opened the first half on a strong note, just outdoing the Purple Raiders in the paint, going 48.28 percent from the field compared to Mount Union's 43.33.

However, the two teams' tight defense made the scores tight, as the Purple Aces headed into the half just ahead of the Titans, 35-34.

Mount Union controlled the majority of the second half, leading IWU by as much as 14 points with 6:16 on the clock. The Titans were able to come within four point in the final minute of the game, but the Purple Aces knocked in enough free throws to seal their first win of the season.

IWU return to the hardwood tomorrow (November 17) against tournament host Muskingum University at 1 p.m. ET.