Titans Hang Tough With Eastern Illinois

Women’s hoops looks ahead to exhibition with ISU Sunday, Oct. 26

10/23/2025 8:51:00 PM

CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team kicked off exhibition action with a 60-54 setback at NCAA Division I foe Eastern Illinois University Thursday, Oct. 23. The Titans led with six minutes to go, but ultimately fell by six points at Groniger Arena.

Two three-pointers late in the shot clock in the first quarter from sophomore Alyssa Epps' (Berkeley, Ill.-Montini Catholic) and a driving bucket by senior Sara Balli (Bloomingdale, Ill.-Lake Park) got IWU within two, 10-8, at the first media timeout.

In her debut in Green and White, freshman Asia Kobylarczyk (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine South) attacked inside to tie it 10-10, but a 5-0 run by the Panthers saw Illinois Wesleyan trail, 15-10, at the conclusion of the first period.

Fellow freshman Rena Robinson (San Jose, Calif.-Archbishop Mitty) found seniors Ava Bardic (Lincolnshire, Ill.-Stevenson) and Sawyer White (Downers Grove, Ill.-Montini Catholic) for a pair of triples to start the second quarter. Freshman Madison Sears (Libertyville, Ill.-Libertyville) showed some strength for a bucket inside to drive IWU ahead, 18-17.

Trailing 24-17, the Titans turned to their defense to get the offense back on track. Key steals by Kobylarczyk and White pulled the visitors back within two, 28-26, at the break.

Eastern Illinois came out of the half with a 12-2 run to charge ahead, 40-28, at the under-five media in the third period.

Illinois Wesleyan turned the tables with a 12-5 run of its own, aided by the daunting run-and-jump full court press, to cut the deficit to five, 45-40, into the final quarter. Bardic found Sears for a bucket, then Robinson found freshman Caitlin Leyden (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine South) to make it a 47-45 Titan advantage.

In the fourth quarter, Sears tapped out a rebound to Leyden, who scooped it in front of the Titan bench. Leyden then found Bardic for a corner three, giving the Green and White a 50-47 lead and forcing a Panther timeout to catch their breath.

In the hustle and bustle of the final minutes, IWU faded, giving EIU the 60-54 exhibition victory.

The Titans continue preseason play in Normal, Ill. against cross town foe Illinois State University, Sunday, Oct 26. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at CEFCU Arena. Admission is free to all attendees.

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