BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play begins Saturday, Dec. 4, for the Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team, as the Titans host Carroll University for a 5 p.m. clash. The game will serve as the first leg of a twin bill with the IWU men's basketball team, while the IWU track and field teams will compete inside the Shirk Center earlier in the day.
    Illinois Wesleyan got back on track in a big way Wednesday, Dec. 1, defeating Eureka, 91-41, to snap a three-game skid. The Titans are now 2-4 on the season. Meanwhile, Carroll is an unblemished 5-0 this season. The Pioneers most recently soared past Ripon, 65-46, Nov. 27.
    Fans can tune into the game via live stats or live stream. Links on how to follow along can be found on the women's basketball schedule page of IWUsports.com.

POINTS APLENTY: IWU lit up the scoreboard in its 91-41 walloping of Eureka, Dec. 1. The Titans' 91 points marked the most for the team since scoring 94 at North Central, Dec. 4, 2019. Illinois Wesleyan's breakout offensive game was setup by a huge first quarter in which IWU scored 39 points on 70 percent (14-for-20) shooting from the floor. The Green and White's 39 points broke the previous single-quarter program record of 37 set twice - Jan. 23, 2019 vs. North Park and Feb. 8, 2017 vs. North Park.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT: Illinois Wesleyan led from wire-to-wire in its 91-41 blowout of Eureka, Dec. 1. The Titans posted their largest margin of victory (+50) since defeating North Central by 108-54 (+54), Jan. 24, 2018.
    Samantha Munroe led the Titans with 21 points in the game, while Kendall Sosa put up 10 points and nine assists. Molly McGraw (17), Maddie Merritt (13), and Raven Hughes (13) also finished with double-digit points.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: The Titans saw all 19 players earn minutes against Eureka, Dec. 1, as 14 players scored in the game. Catie Eck led the way with 14 points, followed by Lauren Huber's 12 points and nine rebounds. Kelly Carlson scored a career-high seven points off the bench, while Hannah Smith (6), Emily Collins (5), Megan Moody (4), Natalie Anderson (4), and Launi Chanthaboury (3) also set personal single-game highs. Overall, Illinois Wesleyan's bench combined for 47 points to 10 points from the Eureka bench.

TENACIOUS TITANS: Illinois Wesleyan forced 37 Eureka turnovers in its win, Dec. 1. The Green and White cashed in on the miscues for 48 points, as IWU held a 48-4 edge in points off turnovers. The 37 turnovers by the Red Devils are the most Illinois Wesleyan has forced since North Park committed 39, Jan. 13, 2018, in IWU's 83-53 win.
Additionally, the Titans' 19 steals rank as the third-most in a single game by a CCIW school this season.

CLASHING WITH CARROLL: Illinois Wesleyan and Carroll will square off for just the 23rd time when the two battle at the Shirk Center Saturday. The Pioneers hold a 14-8 edge in the all-time series, but the Titans have won eight straight since CU rejoined the CCIW ahead of the 2016-17 season. Carroll's last win against IWU came back on March 2, 2007, when the Pioneers topped the No. 24 Titans, 86-59, in the NCAA Tournament.

CCIW OPENERS: IWU has won four of its last five conference openers. Illinois Wesleyan has started the conference season off with wins against Carthage (2018-19 & 2017-18), North Central (2016-17), and Elmhurst (2015-16), but fell to Millikin, 90-82, Feb. 4 in the 2020-21 COVID season.

HOME COOKING: One of the greatest athletic venues in NCAA Division III, the Shirk Center has been home to more than 600 Titan basketball games between both the men and women. In the 26-year history of the Shirk Center, the women have won 237 of 316 of its games on its home court, good for a .750  win percentage.

THE 51ST YEAR OF IWU WOMEN'S HOOPS: Illinois Wesleyan, now in its 51st year of women's basketball, has compiled a 673-484 overall record. IWU's .582 all-time win percentage includes a 309-193 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin mark.

THE DEAN OF THE CCIW: The 2021-21 season marks the 24th year under the direction of Mia Smith, the longest tenured coach in the CCIW. Smith's 440 wins are the most among active CCIW coaches by more than 150. Additionally, Smith's CCIW wins are the third-most in league history.
    Under the tutelage of Smith, IWU has won eight CCIW Championships and made nine NCAA Tournament appearances. The Titans won the 2012 NCAA Division III Championship following a fourth-place finish in 2011.

ON THE HORIZON: Illinois Wesleyan will take a week-long break following Saturday's showdown against Carroll to focus on finals. The Titans will return to action with a tough road test at nationally-ranked Wheaton College Saturday, Dec. 11. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at King Arena.