Decatur, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team defeated Millikin University on Wednesday by a final score of 81-74. Senior Rebekah Ehresman led all scorers with 26 points on 7-of-18 shooting, which included 4-of-7 from deep and 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. Ehresman also led the team with seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
 
With a win the Titans improved to 7-6 (2-1 CCIW) while the Big Blue fell to 7-5 (1-3 CCIW).
 
Sophomore Maddie Merritt scored a career-high 23 points on 7-of-17 shooting, which included an 18 point second half. Merritt collected six rebounds and led the team with four offensive boards.
 
Heading into halftime, Millikin held a 38-32 advantage over the Titans due in part to a 16 point performance from Yanni Saddler. The Big Blue held IWU to a paltry 28.6 shooting percentage during the first half despite holding just a six-point lead at the break.

IWU outscored Millikin 49-36 in the second half to run away stave off defeat. Ehresman added 16 points to Merritt's 18 in the second.
 
IWU held a 19-16 rebounding advantage at half thanks to 11 offensive rebounds, resulting in seven second chance points. In total the Titans out-rebounded Millikin 44-33. The Titans 22 offensive rebounds led to 21 second chance points.
 
The Titans forced 20 turnovers while committing just nine on Wednesday, leading to 31 points off turnovers for IWU compared to one for Millikin.

Free-throws had a significant impact on Wednesday's outcome. IWU converted on 25-of-30 free-throw attempts while Millikin shot 8-of-17 from the line. The 17 point difference negated Millikin's 53.7 percent shooting despite the Titans shooting 35.2 percent on the evening.

What's Next?
The Titans will next welcome No. 23-ranked Wheaton College to the Shirk Center on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. After handing Augustana their third consecutive loss, the Thunder sit at 9-2 (3-0 CCIW) on the season. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.