BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team defeated North Central College by a final score of 118-113 on Saturday, Dec. 3, needing overtime to get the result.

The Titans' mark of 118 points is the third-largest scoring output in program history, ranking behind the team's 125 point output vs. North Central in 2013 and the 126 point effort against Olivet Nazarene in 2011.

Junior Molly McGraw recorded a new career-high in scoring with 37 points, which ranks third in program history for single-game points.

With the win the Titans improve to 4-3 (1-0 CCIW) while North Central falls to 3-2 (0-1 CCIW).

Despite hot shooting from IWU, North Central took a 57-51 lead into halftime. The Titans shot 57.5 percent from the floor in the first, but the 3-point shooting ability of the Cardinals was the difference maker. NCC made seven first half triples as opposed to three for the Titans. North Central put pressure on the Titans throughout the half, forcing 21 Titans turnovers. McGraw led all scorers with 12 points at the break.

Illinois Wesleyan was more composed in the second half, turning the ball over just seven times while forcing the Cardinals into 14 turnovers. McGraw continued to score at will, adding 20 second half points to her final tally. North Central was up by eight points in the third quarter, but a 13-1 run by the Titans turned the tides and gave Illinois Wesleyan a 78-74 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the quarter.

IWU held a six point lead with just under five minutes to play in the game, but an 11-1 run gave the Cardinals a four point advantage with two minutes to play. McGraw hit a 3-pointer with 1:34 left, tying the game at 101, but it was free-throws down stretch that put IWU in a good position. Sophomore Maddie Merritt when 2-for-2 from the charity stripe, while McGraw made one to put IWU up two in the closing seconds. Unfortunately for the Titans, North Central's Mayson Whipple scored on a jumper with 00:02 left to force overtime.

With the game tied at 113 in overtime, IWU rattled off five straight points to seal a victory in their conference opener. Merritt and McGraw contributed nine of the teams 14 points in OT.

Sophomore Ashley Schneider was a consistent force for the Titans in the paint on Saturday, scoring a career-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Schneider added a career-high six rebounds as well, all off the bench.

Senior Rebekah Ehresman recorded her second double-double of the season, scoring 15 points alongside 12 rebounds. Also recording a double-double was senior Alina Lehocky who contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Freshman Sydney Shanks had the best game of her young career, scoring a career-high 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting and collecting five rebounds.

IWU's 45 field goals ranks sixth in program history, while their 89 attempts ranks fifth. McGraw tied the all-time program record with 13 shots made, and set the new shots attempted record with 29.

The 231 combined points is three points short of the school and CCIW scoring record of 234 when North Central beat IWU, 121-113, on Feb. 12, 2014.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan's next contest comes on Saturday, Dec. 10 against Elmhurst College. Elmhurst is 6-1 overall after losing their conference opener to Wheaton by a final score of 71-53. Tip is set for 2 p.m.