BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University's women's basketball team begins a two-game homestand Wednesday night, Feb. 9, with a rematch with North Park University inside the Shirk Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
    Illinois Wesleyan saw its win streak snapped at three with a loss at Millikin University, Feb. 7, and now sits in second-place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin standings. IWU is 13-8 overall and 10-2, just ahead of third-place North Park. NPU holds a 14-6 record, including a 7-5 CCIW mark. The Vikings, like the Titans, just saw their three-game win streak halted with a 55-46 Senior Day setback against Augustana College, Feb. 5.
    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.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Illinois Wesleyan and North Park will square off for the 75th time Wednesday evening, Feb. 9. The Titans hold a commanding 60-15 advantage in the all-time series and have won 36 of the past 38 meetings with the Vikings dating back to the 2004-05 season.
    The Green and White secured a 68-49 win in the Windy City, Jan. 24, in the first meeting of the season between IWU and NPU. Brooke Lansford led the Titans with 20 points, while senior Catie Eck and Kaia Bowen added 11 points apiece. Eck was also IWU's rebounding leader in the game, pulling in eight to go along with four blocks, three steals, and two assists.

NO LOVE LOST: In Illinois Wesleyan's 68-49 win at North Park, Jan. 24, the Titans held the Vikings without a three-pointer. NPU finished the game 0-for-11 from beyond the arc, marking the first time IWU has not allowed a triple since holding Rose-Hulman to 0-for-7 from deep Nov. 30, 2016.

TAKING IT UP A NOTCH: Since beginning CCIW play in December, the Titans have taken their play to another level. With 10=2 conference games under their belts, the Titans lead the conference in scoring (71.9 ppg), scoring margin (+13.7),  three-pointers made per game (7.2), offensive rebounds (15.0), turnover margin (+7.67), and blocked shots (3.83 bpg).

THE ROAD AHEAD: Monday's setback at Millikin, Feb. 8, dropped the Titans to second place in the regular season CCIW standings. At 10-2 in conference play, IWU is one game behind league-leading Millikin (11-1). Illinois Wesleyan has games against North Park, Wheaton, at North Central, and at Augustana remaining, while MU will travel to NCC, host North Park and Elmhurst, and head to Wheaton for its regular season finale. The Titans final four opponents have a combined record of 23-27 in league play (47-37 overall), good for a .460 CCIW win percentage (.560 overall). Millikin's remaining opponents hold a CCIW win percentage of .380 (.470 overall).

LIGHTS OUT LANSFORD: Senior Brooke Lansford willed her team to a win over Carthage, Feb. 5, with a career day en route to CCIW Player of the Week and D3hoops.com Team of the Week honors. Lansford went off for 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, highlighted by an impressive 6-for-9 effort from distance. Lansford's point total is the highest since Kendall Sosa dropped 34 against North Park Feb. 27, 2021.
    Equally impressive was Lansford's clean play at the point guard position, where she added two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Lansford played all 40 minutes for the Titans, without a turnover as IWU's primary ball handler.

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 242 of 321 of its home games, good for a .754 win percentage

NO SOUP FOR YOU!: Illinois Wesleyan has held opponents below 50 points 17 times since the  start of the 2012-13 campaign, including North Park earlier this season.

PROVEN KEYS TO VICTORY: With 21 games complete, Illinois Wesleyan has established keys to victory. Illinois Wesleyan is 10-1 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 10-1 when scoring 70-or-more points, while the Titans are 1-4 when opponents eclipse 70 points. IWU is also 8-0 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 3.9 assists per game. She also ranks 51st in all of Division III with 82 assists this season.
    She notched her 200th career assist in IWU's win at Elmhurst, Jan. 12, and currently sits 19th on IWU's career assist list with 230. She is three behind former teammate Sydney Shanks for 18th.

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 24.05 turnovers per game, the 17th-most in Division III. The Green and White boasts a turnover margin of +7.10, the best in the CCIW, as well as the 17th-highest nationally. Fueled by its daunting run-and-jump full-court press, Illinois Wesleyan is snagging 12.5 steals per game. The clip ranks third in the CCIW and 33rd 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 451 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 684-488 overall record. IWU's .584 all-time win percentage includes a 319-194 CCIW mark.

ON THE HORIZON: Illinois Wesleyan will welcome Wheaton College to Bloomington Saturday, Feb. 12, for Senior Day. IWU will recognize seniors Catie Eck, Brooke Lansford, and Kaia Bowen prior to the 2 p.m. tipoff.