Photo Gallery (Claire Hoverson '17)

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Shooting just 17 percent from the field in the first half led to a 13-point deficit and the Illinois Wesleyan women's team never recovered in a 69-53 loss to No. 22-ranked Wheaton at the Shirk Center on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

The Titans and Thunder are now tied for first place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with 6-2 records. IWU is 11-8 overall and had its five-game win streak snapped while Wheaton improved to 14-4.

Wheaton scored the first eight points of the game only to see IWU score the next eight to tie the game. The Thunder led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter and outscored the Titans, 13-1, to claim a 26-11 lead with 1:57 to go before intermission. Wheaton's lead at the half was 29-16 as IWU made only five of 30 from the field in the first 20 minutes.

IWU got back within nine on three occasions, the latest at 33-24 with 8:06 left in the third, but six straight Thunder points made the lead 15 and Wheaton led by as many as 24 on two occasions in the final quarter.

Illinois Wesleyan was led by the 12 points off the bench by junior Gabrielle Holness, who made four 3-pointers. Sophomore Rebekah Ehresman collected eight rebounds and donated six assists.

Wheaton senior center Hannah Considine scored 26 points with eight rebounds and freshman Devin Kyler snagged a game-high 14 rebounds as the Thunder dominated the rebound war, claiming 49 to 35 for IWU. Junior guard Katie McDaniels had 14 points, six assists and two steals.

Wheaton committed 20 turnovers to 18 for IWU and handed out 22 assists on their 27 baskets, scoring 34 points in the paint to 22 for IWU and making 16 fast break points.

What's Next?
The Titans play at Carthage at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30 in Kenosha, Wis. The Lady Reds are 7-12 overall and 3-5 in the CCIW after a 59-57 loss at home to North Park on Wednesday night.