CHICAGO, Ill. - With five scorers in double-figures on Wednesday, Feb. 8 the Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team handily defeated North Park University, 89-61. Senior Amanda Kelly matched her career-high in scoring with 19 points on an impressive 8-of-9 shooting (3-of-3 3pt.). Kelly added three assists, three boards, and a steal to her final tally.

With a win the Titans improved to 15-6 (10-2 CCIW) while North Park fell to 11-11 (4-9 CCIW). IWU has won five straight and 10 of their last 11 games. With four games to play in the regular season both Illinois Wesleyan and Wheaton College hold two game leads over Elmhurst College in the conference standings.

After a closely contested first half, IWU went into the halftime break up 42-34. However, a marginal lead didn't prevent the Titans from firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. Illinois Wesleyan outscored North Park 37-16 in the third to take a commanding 29 point lead. IWU's lead would extend to as many as 36 points in the fourth quarter.

As a team IWU shot .590 percent from the floor in the third quarter, converting on 13 shot attempts. The Titans forced 11 turnovers in the third quarter, converting them into 19 points. Overall, the Titans scored 30 points off turnovers on Wednesday.

Sophomore Ashley Schneider nearly matched her career-high in scoring on Wednesday, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Schneider finished with a career-high two 3-point field goals. Other scorers in double-figures were junior Molly McGraw (14), sophomore Maddie Merritt (10), and sophomore Nina Anderson (10). McGraw led all scorers in the first half with 10 points after scoring seven in the first quarter.

McGraw and senior Alina Lehocky tied for the team-high in rebounding with five apiece while freshman Sydney Shanks led the Titans with five steals, tying her career-high. Senior Gabby Weber recorded a season-high four assists to lead the team.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan travels to Kenosha, Wis. to face Carthage College on Saturday, Feb. 11. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m at Tarble Arena. In their previous matchup this season, the Titans defeated Carthage 77-50. The Lady Reds record currently sits at 12-9 (6-6 CCIW).