BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Four players scored in double figures, led by junior Maddie Merritt, as the Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team opened its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin season with a 77-68 win over Carthage at the Shirk Center on Saturday, Dec. 2.

The Titans improved to 4-2 overall while the Lady Reds are also 4-2.

Senior Molly McGraw scored 12 points, all in the first half, while senior Rebekah Ehresman and sophomore Sydney Shanks each scored 11. Shanks grabbed seven rebounds and Merritt also snared a team-high nine rebounds and was 12 of 16 from the free throw line.

The Titans, who were outrebounded 46-37, managed to shoot just .382 (21 of 55) from the floor and hit on only 5 of 22 3-pointers (.227). The Titans were helped by a 28-14 advantage in the second quarter to give them a 44-28 halftime edge.

The Lady Reds got a game-high 18 points and 11 rebounds out of Morgan Harris while Rachel Szydlowski added 13 points and nine boards.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan plays a nonconference game at Eureka College on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.