Box Score

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - The Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team led by as much as 20 before landing an 84-69 season opening win over Mount Mercy at the Cornell College Classic on Saturday, Nov. 15. IWU won its season opener for the second straight season while the Mustangs fall to 3-2 on the season. 

The Titans never left the game in doubt, taking the lead at the 18:35 mark in the first half and never looking back en route to a 40-27 first half lead. IWU would build their lead up to as many as 20 points at 62-42 with 12:42 to play in the game, and Mount Mercy got as close as 10 at 70-60 with 5:55 remaining but got no closer as IWU came away with the 15-point victory.

Junior Samantha Ellsworth led the Titans with a career-high 19 points on seven for 10 shooting from the field including five of eight from behind the 3-point line. 

Illinois Wesleyan Statistics and Leaders
Field goal percentage: 51.6 (33 of 64)
Three-point percentage: 41.7 (10 of 24)
Free throw percentage: 57.1 (8 of 14)
Ellsworth- 19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists
Sophomore Gabrielle Holness- 15 points, 6 assists
Senior Kasey Reaber, sophomore Shelby Gray- 11 points each
Freshman Molly McGraw - team-high 7 rebounds

Mount Mercy Statistics and Leaders
Field goal percentage: 51.9 (28 of 54)
Three-point percentage: 9.1 (1 of 11)
Free throw percentage: 57.1 (12 of 21)
Abby Herb- 31 points, 12 rebounds, 6 steals
Christa Oldham- 14 points
Callan Timms, Alisa Weiland- 8 points each

Who's Next?
IWU will conclude the Cornell Classic by taking on host school Cornell College at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. The Titans are looking to start the season 2-0 for the third time in the last four seasons.