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Maddie Merritt
Amber Kinney
Freshman Maddie Merritt had a career-high 16 points in IWU's 15 point win vs. Pac Lutheran.
65
Winner Illinois Wesleyan IWUW 6-5
50
Pacific Lutheran PLU 3-5
Winner
Illinois Wesleyan IWUW
6-5
65
Final
50
Pacific Lutheran PLU
3-5
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Illinois Wesleyan IWUW 15 18 18 14 65
Pacific Lutheran PLU 11 11 15 13 50

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Contact: Matt Kinney, Sports Information Assistant, mkinney@iwu.edu

Women's Basketball Beats Host Lutes in Holiday Tourney

PARKLAND, Wash. - Three Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball players scored new career-highs and four finished in double digits as the Titans won for the second consecutive night with a 65-50 victory over Pacific Lutheran in the Pacific Northwest Holiday Tournament at the Names Family Court in Parkland, Wash., on Saturday. Dec. 19. 

Illinois Wesleyan finished the holiday tournament with a 2-0 record and improved to .500 on the season at 5-5 while the Lutes fell to 3-5. IWU sophomore Rebekah Ehresman was chosen as the tournament's "Most Valuable Player" and was joined on the all-tournament team by teammate Gabrielle Holness. Others named to the all-tourney team were Britta Nordstrom and Olariche Obi from the U. of Chicago, Alexis Noren of Puget Sound and Samantha Kelleigh of Pacific Lutheran.

Illinois Wesleyan trailed 9-8 with 5:21 left in the first quarter before taking the lead for good on a Gabby Weber layup 12 seconds later. The Titans led 15-11 after 10 minutes of action and took a 33-22 lead at intermission. IWU took their largest lead of the game at 51-33 with 1:07 left in the third quarter, allowing just four points in the third quarter. Illinois Wesleyan held their lead in the final period, outscoring the Lutes 14-13 to claim the 15 point victory. 

Freshman Maddie Merritt recorded a new career-high with 16 points to go along with five rebounds and Weber tied her career-high with 15 points. Ehresman had the team's first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds while adding two steals. Junior Amanda Kelly had a career-best seven rebounds and freshman Nina Anderson also scored a career-high 12 points.

The Titans outrebounded the Lutes 51-27 and held a 19-8 offensive rebound advantage which led to 15 second chance points. Pacific Lutheran was forced into 19 turnovers compared to 26 for the Titans, but only scored three bench points compared to 28 for IWU. 

What's Next?
Following the holiday break, Illinois Wesleyan returns to action at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the Shirk Center, hosting Thomas More College, the defending national Division III champion. The No. 1-ranked Saints are 8-0 after beating No. 11 Calvin, 85-69, on Dec. 19.


 
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