BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - A nationally-ranked showdown awaits the Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team this Tuesday, Nov. 26, as the eighth-ranked Titans travel to Kachel Gymnasium to take on No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Tipoff between the Titans and Warhawks is scheduled for 6 p.m.
    Illinois Wesleyan carries a 3-0 record into Tuesday's tilt, most recently earning a convincing  88-57 win over Edgewood College, Nov. 23, in IWU's home opener. UW-Whitewater also holds an unblemished mark, entering the week 4-0. The Warhawks throttled Concordia-Wisconsin, Nov. 20, to run away with an 80-37 victory in their last outing.
    Fans can catch a live stream of the game, while live stats will also be provided. Links on how to follow along can be found on the women's basketball schedule page of IWUsports.com.

ALL-TIME AGAINST UW-WHITEWATER: Illinois Wesleyan and UW-Whitewater will square off on the hardwood for the 18th time since the series began in 1997 when the two teams tangle Tuesday evening, Nov. 26. The Warhawks hold a commanding 14-3 lead in the all-time series, and have won 11 straight against the Titans dating back to 2013. IWU came out on top in two of the first three matchups, including a 90-53 walloping of UWW in the initial clash, Dec. 14, 1997.

LAST WIN OVER UWW: The Green and White's last win came in nail-biting fashion during the 2011-12 season, as the Titans took down the Warhawks 72-69 inside the Shirk Center Nov. 27, 2012. Illinois Wesleyan trailed by five, 35-30, at halftime, but used a strong second half to clip UW-Whitewater, 72-69. Melissa Gardner led the Titans with 19 points, while Lexi Baltes and Colleen McMahon added 18 and 17, respectively.
    The Titans hit 9-of-10 free throws and Michelle Bilek downed a triple over the final 2:30 to propel IWU to the three-point win. The Warhawks had a chance for the tie at the buzzer, but could not convert as Shelby Jackson snagged the rebound to seal the win.

MILESTONE 500: Veteran head coach Mia Smith earned her 500th career win as Illinois Wesleyan rolled past Edgewood, 88-57, in its home opener Saturday, Nov. 23. Smith, who has accrued all of her wins at the helm of the Titans, is just the second coach in CCIW history to win at least 500 games. The current conference leader in wins among active head coaches, Smith's career win total ranks second in league laurels. Additionally, her win total is 21st-most across all of active Division III head coaches.
    Under the tutelage of Smith, IWU has won 10 CCIW Championships and made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Titans won the 2012 NCAA Division III Championship following a fourth-place finish in 2011.

SOY BROUGHT THE SAUCE: Junior Sawyer White put together her best game of the season to help lead IWU past Edgewood, Nov. 23. White tied for the team lead with 16 points, a season-high,  and notched a season-high seven steals. The Downers Grove, Ill. native, who set the program's single-season steals record a season ago, is 20th across Division III with 4.00 thefts per game.

FLIPPING TITANS: Illinois Wesleyan's defense was unrelenting in the lopsided win against Edgewood, Nov. 23. The Titans forced 30 turnovers, cashing them in for 42 points. The 30 miscues by the Eagles are the most IWU has forced since the CCIW Tournament semifinals last season, when the Titans forced Augie into 34 turnovers.
    As of Nov. 25, the Green and White is averaging 20.67 forced turnovers per contest.

THE 54TH YEAR OF IWU WOMEN'S HOOPS: Illinois Wesleyan, entering its 54th year of women's basketball, has compiled a 733-506 overall record. IWU's .592 all-time win percentage includes a 348-203 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin mark.

EXPERIENCE PAYING DIVIDENDS: Through three games, Illinois Wesleyan has shown immense poise by way of ball security. The Titans have dished out 54 assists to just 30 turnovers, good for a 1.83 assist-to-turnover ratio. IWU's mark is ranked second nationally, while its 10 turnovers per game are also slotted second-best across Division III. Futhermore, the Green and White's 18.3 assists per game is 18th-best.
    Individually, Ava Bardic is slotted eighth in the nation with a 3.50 assist-to-turnover ratio. Lauren Huber is also inside the top-100 with a mark of 2.00 (88th). Bardic sits 48th nationally with 4.7 assists per contest.

PLAY FAST, HAVE FUN: Veteran head coach Mia Smith preaches an emphasis on having fun and just playing basketball, advice this season's team has truly taken to heart. Over the first three games of the season, IWU is outscoring opponents 69-6 in fastbreak points this season.

FEAR THE SECOND TEN LIVES ON: Illinois Wesleyan commonly used the second quarter to distance itself from opponents last season, and seems to be running it back so far in 2024-25. Through three games this year, IWU has outscored opponents 72-36, a difference of 36 points.

FRESHMAN FIRSTS: In Illinois Wesleyan's win over Edgewood, Nov. 23, Luigi Lam knocked down a three-pointer for her first career points in a Titan uniform. She finished with three points and a rebound in IWU's home-opening win.
    With a layup with 1:19 to play against Calvin, Nov. 15, freshman Alyssa Epps scored the first official points of her Titan career. Epps, who came to IWU by way of Montini Catholic, had previously made a three-pointer in IWU's exhibition loss at Division I Illinois State, Oct. 27.

ON THE HORIZON: The Titans return to action after the holiday break for the annual Midwest Challenge Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, in St. Louis, Mo. There, IWU will take on DePauw Saturday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m. The Titans will then square off against WashU or Rose-Hulman Sunday, Dec. 1.