BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team defeated Millikin University on Wednesday, Feb. 1 by a final score of 70-58. Junior Molly McGraw led the way with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting (3-of-4 free throws). McGraw also led the team in blocks with two, and tied freshman Sydney Shanks for the team-high in rebounds with six.

The Titans improved to 13-6 overall and 8-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, tied for first place in the league with Wheaton College, who lost at Carthage, 70-44, on Wednesday.  The Big Blue slipped to 9-11 overall and 3-8 in the CCIW.

Teams went back in forth throughout the first quarter, resulting in five ties. Sophomore Maddie Merritt gave Illinois Wesleyan a 16-14 lead at the buzzer, scoring two of IWU's 28 points in the paint.

After a closely contested first, IWU was hot out of the gate in the second quarter. The Titans opened the second on a 13-4 run, taking an 11-point lead with 6:23 remaining in the first half. Things began to fall apart for the Titans shortly thereafter as they shot .250 percent for the remainder of the half, allowing Millikin to pull back within four points heading into the break. McGraw led the team with 10 first half points.

In the third quarter the Titans quickly extended their lead to double-digits thanks to the play of senior Amanda Kelly and sophomore Ashley Schneider. Kelly had her hand in 10 of the Titans 16 points, scoring six and assisting on two baskets. With the clock winding down at the end of the quarter, Kelly blew past her defender to earn the bucket before the horn sounded, giving IWU a 12-point lead. Schneider contributed four points off assists from Kelly and added three rebounds in the third.

Schneider finished with 13 points on an efficient 6-of-11 shooting, adding five rebounds in the process. Merritt also finished in double figures for the Titans, adding 10 points. Junior Rebekah Ehresman helped pave the way on offense with a game-high five assists.

IWU maintained their lead throughout the fourth quarter, leading by 21 points with 2:25 to play. Millikin went on a 9-0 run to close out the game, but it wasn't enough for the Big Blue to stage a comeback.

What's Next?
IWU hosts Carroll in the 10th annual "Pink Zone" game Saturday at 5 p.m. There will be a silent auction and raffles including great prizes with all proceeds go to the Bloomington-Normal Community Cancer Center.