Waukesha, Wis. - The Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team defeated Carroll University for the first time in program history on Saturday, Jan. 21 by a final score of 92-56. Previously, the Titans had been 0-14 against the Pioneers having last met in the 2007 NCAA Division III tournament. Senior Amanda Kelly led the Titans with 16 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting alongside four steals and two assists.

With a win the Titans improved to 11-6 (6-2 CCIW) on the season, while Carroll fell to 1-15 (1-7 CCIW).

After one quarter of play, the teams were deadlocked at 21 apiece. Carroll forced the Titans into committing seven of their nine first half turnovers and converted them into six points. Illinois Wesleyan turned the tides in quarter number two, forcing 11 Carroll turnovers. The Titans outscored Carroll 29-4 in the second to take a 25-point lead into the break.

Junior Rebekah Ehresman led all first half scorers with 10 points at halftime. Senior Shelby Gray contributed eight points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field in what turned out to be a season-high effort. Gray finished the game with 11 points and five assists. Her five assists were both a season and career-high.

IWU's starters were limited to eight minutes each in the second half, but the Titans still outscored Carroll 42-31. Sophomore Nina Anderson scored all nine of her points in the second half.

Scorers in double figures for IWU were Kelly (16), Ehresman (12), sophomore Maddie Merritt (12), Gray (11), and junior Molly McGraw (11). Merritt also hauled in a game-high eight rebounds with four on each end of the court.

As a team the Titans shot an efficient .494 percent from the floor while defensively allowing Carroll to shoot .379 percent. Carroll struggled from distance converting 2-of-15 3-point attempts. IWU held a strong advantage on the glass, out-rebounding the Pioneers 47-28.

Illinois Wesleyan forced 25 turnovers on Saturday afternoon and scored 32 points off of them. The Titans also had success following offensive rebounds, scoring 20 points off of 22 offensive boards.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan hosts league-leading Augustana College at the Shirk Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25.