BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – On the heels of a Monday night win in Chicago, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team returns to the Shirk Center Wednesday night, Jan. 26, as host to Elmhurst University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
    The Titans took down North Park University, 68-49, Monday night, Jan. 24, to keep pace in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. The win pushed IWU's record to 11-7 and put the Green and White in a tie with Millikin for first-place in the CCIW. Meanwhile, Elmhurst has lost five in-a-row and nine of its past 10 games. The Bluejays are 2-15 overall and winless in the conference (0-9) following a 72-50 setback at North Central College, Jan. 24.
    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.

SENIORS SHOW OUT: The senior trio of Brooke Lansford, Kaia Bowen, and Catie Eck guided the Titans to a 68-49 win at North Park, Jan. 24. Lansford posted a team-high 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including three triples, to go along with six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Bowen added 11 points, six boards, and an assist. Eck stuffed the box score with 11 points, a team-high eight rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two assists.

BATTLING THE BLUEJAYS: Wednesday night's CCIW clash will mark the 78th all-time meeting between Illinois Wesleyan and Elmhurst since the two first tangled during the 1981-82 campaign. The Bluejays took the first meeting, 75-67, but the Titans own a 61-16 edge in the all-time series and have won 11 straight against Elmhurst. Additionally, IWU is 44-6 against EU under Mia Smith.
    Illinois Wesleyan overpowered Elmhurst, 85-59, in Elmhurst, Jan. 10. Brooke Lansford led all scorers with 20 points, while Lauren Huber (14), Katelyn Heller (13), and Mallory Powers (12) also reached double figures. IWU hit 11 three-pointers in the game, with Lansford pacing the Green and White with four triples herself.

HOME COOKING: One of the greatest 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 its 26-year history, the women have won 241 of 321 of its home games, good for a .750 win percentage.

TAKING IT UP A NOTCH: Since beginning CCIW play in December, the Titans have taken their play to another level. With seven conference games under their belts, the Titans lead the conference in scoring (73.8 ppg), scoring margin (+16.0), three-point field goal percentage (36.9), and three-pointers made per game (7.7). IWU is also second in scoring defense (57.8 ppg), team free throw percentage (74.0), offensive rebounds (14.8 rpg), rebounding margin (+4.4), turnover margin (+6.89), and blocked shots (3.78 bpg).

NO SOUP FOR YOU!: Illinois Wesleyan has held opponents below 50 points 17 times since the  start of the 2012-13 campaign.

R-N-J BABY: The Titans full-court press has flustered the opposition this season, and Millikin was no different. The Green and White forced 25 Big Blue turnovers, leading to 31 IWU points in its win Jan. 19. It marked the 13th time this season IWU has forced 20-or-more miscues. In fact, the Titans are 10-3 when doing so, compared to 1-4 when opponents record fewer than 20 turnovers.

PROVEN KEYS TO VICTORY: With 18 games complete, Illinois Wesleyan has established keys to victory. Illinois Wesleyan is 9-1 on the year when winning the rebounding battle. When it comes to the scoreboard, IWU's magic number appears to be 70. The Green and White are 9-1 when scoring 70-or-more points, while the Titans are 1-4 when opponents eclipse 70 points. IWU is also 7-0 when compiling a better shooting percentage than the opposition this season.

HELPING HAND: Senior Brooke Lansford has been one of the CCIW's top floor generals this season, as the Titans' starting point guard leads the conference with 4.1 assists per game. She also ranks 32nd in all of Division III with 69 assists this season as of Jan. 20.
    She notched her 200th career assist in IWU's win at Elmhurst, Jan. 12, and currently sits tied for 19th with Hannah Meharry on IWU's career assist list with 217.

DAUNTING DEFENSE: Illinois Wesleyan's best offensive threat this season has proven to be its defense, as the Titans have made a living cashing in on the miscues of their opponents. IWU is forcing 24.35 turnovers per game, the 20th-most in Division III. The Green and White boasts a turnover margin of +7.24, the best in the CCIW, as well as the 18th-highest nationally. Fueled by its daunting run-and-jump full-court press, Illinois Wesleyan is snagging 13.0 steals per game. The clip ranks third in the CCIW and 28th across all of Division III.

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 449 wins are the most among active CCIW coaches by more than 150. Additionally, Smith's CCIW wins are the second-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.

THE 51ST YEAR OF IWU WOMEN'S HOOPS: Illinois Wesleyan, now in its 51st year of women's basketball, has compiled a 682-487 overall record. IWU's .583 all-time win percentage includes a 317-193 CCIW mark.

HALFWAY THERE: It may be hard to believe, but more than half of IWU's conference schedule is complete. The Titans, who are 8-1 in CCIW play, are tied atop the league standings with Millikin.

ON THE HORIZON: Illinois Wesleyan enjoys a week off before returning to the hardwood at Millikin University Wednesday night, Feb. 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Griswold Center and will serve as the second meeting between the two league leaders this season. IWU protected home court with a 73-51 win over MU, Jan. 19.