WHEATON, Ill. - Free throws with 0.2 left to play in overtime lifted the Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team to a 76-75 victory over fifth-seeded Augustana College in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament Friday night, Feb. 28, at King Arena. With the victory the Titans advance to tomorrow night's CCIW Championship at 7 p.m. and improve to 18-8 on the season.

Junior Kendall Sosa (Bloomington, Ill.-Normal Community) diced through the lane for a layup to give Illinois Wesleyan a 61-59 lead with 1.4 seconds to go in regulation, capping an 8-0 run over nearly three minutes by the Titans. 

After advancing the ball to half court, Augustana inbounded to Alexis Jones, who knocked down a baseline jumper at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. 

In the extra period the Vikings led by as many as five, but the Titans rallied back within two, 71-69, on a jumper by senior Sydney Shanks (Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic). Sosa followed with an and-one after a timely defensive stop by IWU, but Augie reclaimed the lead, 73-72, with 14 seconds remaining. 

From there, the teams traded free throws to put Augustana in front 75-74 with 2.2 left on the clock. Needing to travel the length of the floor, IWU inbounded to sophomore Brooke Lansford (Leawood, Kan.-Blue Valley West), who made a heady play to get to half court and draw the foul on a heave. Two free throws from Lansford all but sealed the win as the Vikings' desperation shot came up empty to give the Titans a 76-75 victory.

Shanks refused to lose, extending her career with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double. The Bloomington, Ill. native nearly notched a triple-double, tying a career-high with nine steals, and adding a trio of assists in an outstanding performance. Sosa came on strong when her team needed her the most, finishing with 28 points, 11 of which came in the OT period. She added four steals, two rebounds, a block and an assist as well.

As a team, Illinois Wesleyan shot 39.3 percent from the field and went 24-of-35 from the charity stripe. Augustana finished the game with a 42.2 shooting percentage and made 13-of-16 free throws. 

While both teams scored 30 points in the paint, the Titans held a major advantage in points off turnovers, cashing in for 25 points off of 30 turnovers while the Vikings only managed nine points of IWU miscues.

Illinois Wesleyan will look to claim its third consecutive CCIW Tournament tiel Saturday, Feb. 29, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at King Arena. The Titans will take on either top-seeded Wheaton or sixth-seeded North Central.