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NORMAL, IL - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team renewed its rivalry with Illinois State University Sunday afternoon, Oct. 29, at CEFCU Arena. The game, which was an exhibition for both teams, provided an early look at the Titans and Redbirds ahead of the 2023-24 season. IWU was defeated, 94-56. (Photo by Jimmy Naprstek/Kodiak Creative)
Kodiak Creative
72
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU 15-3,8-1 CCIW
68
Carroll (WI) CAR 14-4,7-2 CCIW
Winner
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
15-3,8-1 CCIW
72
Final
68
Carroll (WI) CAR
14-4,7-2 CCIW
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 15 25 18 14 72
Carroll (WI) CAR 22 14 15 17 68

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women’s Hoops Holds on for Gritty Win at No. 25 Carroll

Four score in double figures

WAUKESHA, Wis. - The eighth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit to take down 25th-ranked Carroll University Saturday, Jan. 20, in a pivotal College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin matchup. The Titans (15-3, 8-1 CCIW) snapped the Pios (14-4, 7-2 CCIW) nine-game win streak with a 72-68 triumph in front of a boisterous crowd inside Van Male Fieldhouse.

The Green and White used a balanced offense to earn the victory, led by juniors Kate Palmer (Geneva, Ill.-Geneva), Lauren Huber (Lombard, Ill.-Glenbard East), Mallory Powers (Amboy, Ill.-Amboy), and Caite Knutson (Maryville, Ill.-Collinsville), all of whom finished in double figures. Palmer led the way with a game-high 18 points. Huber added 17 and a game-high seven boards, while Powers went for 14 points and six rebounds. Knutson added 11 points, five boards, three steals, and a couple assists to round things out. 

The Titans concluded the game shooting 44.8 percent from the field, finishing 26-for-58. IWU went just 2-for-16 from three-point distance, but converted 18-of-26 free throws. On the flip side, the Illinois Wesleyan defense limited Carroll to a field goal percentage of 36.1 (22-for-61). The Pios hit 5-of-16 three-point tries and 19-of-27 free throw opportunities. 

IWU compiled leads in points in the paint (42-28) and fastbreak scoring (20-10), while the Green and White forced 20 CU turnovers to 17 of its own. Carroll piled up a 44-35 advantage in rebounds and a 25-12 edge in second chance scoring.

After a first quarter that saw the Pios outrebound the Titans, 14-5, and use 11 second chance points to mount a double-digit lead, IWU went to work in the second period.

Carroll used a five-point spurt early on to stretch its lead to a dozen, 29-17, with 7:43 left in the frame. 

The Titans responded with a 11-1 run of their own, beginning with a Powers three-ball in transition off a pass from sophomore Laura Mahlum (Barrington, Ill.-Barrington). The run continued with buckets from Powers, Palmer, and Mahlum, before Huber's and-one cut the deficit to four, 33-29, with 4:23 to go in the half. 

IWU clawed its way back to a 34-34 tie on a jumper and pair of free throws from Palmer. Illinois Wesleyan reclaimed the lead after a key steal from sophomore Sawyer White (Downers Grove, Ill.-Montini Catholic). Fellow sophomore Sara Balli (Bloomingdale, Ill.-Lake Park) slipped a pass to Palmer for a layup on the backdoor cut. 

Balli came up big moments later, swiping a pass and taking it for two herself. Free throws from Powers capped off the 20-6 Titan run as IWU went into the break leading, 40-36.

The Green and White's cushion expanded to double digits behind a pair of free throws from White, as IWU charged ahead, 53-43, with 4:49 on the clock in the third period.

With fouls and turnovers piling up for the Titans, the Pioneers used an and-one and a jumper to pull within four, 60-56, with 7:30 remaining in regulation. 

Free throws by Palmer and a putback by Mahlum gave IWU some breathing room, 64-57, before Huber lifted the Titans to a nine-point advantage with 3:17 to go.

Just as second chance scoring had allowed Carroll to snag an early lead, the Pios used offensive rebounds to make things interesting late. 

CU pulled in a long rebound on an initial three-point miss and kicked to Natalie Gricius for a three-ball with 37 seconds remaining to pull within four, 71-67. 

The Pios tacked on a free throw, drawn on another offensive rebound, to make it a one possession game. After missing the second freebie, Carroll retained possession on a jump ball but saw the game-tying three-point attempt clipped by Powers. The ensuing rebound was pulled in by Mahlum, who ultimately closed out the four-point victory with a free throw.

Illinois Wesleyan will play its third straight game against nationally ranked competition Wednesday, Jan. 24, as the Titans travel to Decatur, Ill. to face 17th-ranked Millikin University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the Griswold Center.

 
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