The Carthage College women's basketball team (16-3, 8-0 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) remains undefeated in the conference race at 8-0 after defeating Millikin University (5-13, 0-8 CCIW), 66-44, on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis.

Millikin had an early, 11-7 lead,  but Carthage went ahead, 13-11, at 12:26 and never trailed after that.  The Lady Reds led by an much as 11 points in the first half, 31-20, and led by nine at the break, 31-22, and cruised to a 22-point victory, 66-44.

Carthage shot 47 percent (27-57), including just four-of-nine three pointers, while Millikin shot just 30 percent (16-55), including just two-of-16 from three-point range.  Carthage had a 38-34 rebounding advantage.  Four Lady Reds scored in double figures.  Stephanie Kuzmanic (Jr., Mount Prospect, Ill./Wheeling) led the way with 21 points on eight-of-14 field goals, along with four-of-six free throws, five rebounds and six assists. 

Kristi Schmidt (Jr., Bloomington, Ill./Normal-Community) had 12 points on four-of-six shooting.  Cailee Corcoran (Sr., Oak Lawn, Ill./Chicago-Marist) added 10 points and six boards, and Michelle Wenzel (Jr., Darien, Wis./Delavan-Darien) came off the bench to score 10 points with seven rebounds.  Nikki Tipsword topped the Big Blue with 14 points, and Bria Williams added 11 points and six rebounds.

"The turnovers were a little high," said Carthage coach Tim Bernero, "and we did some silly stuff.  Millikin was very physical and very aggressive, but our shooting neutralized some of that, and that's how we got away from them.  The North Central game on Wednesday will change the natural order of things.  They will double-team the ball, and you just have to keep moving the ball toward the basket.  If you don't get the layup, you have to keep moving the ball around until they over-commit.  If we do what we're supposed to, we'll be OK.  All we have to do is take care of our games over the next six games.  The conference racer is in our hands."

Carthage plays host to CCIW-opponent North Central College (10-9, 3-5 CCIW) on Wednesday, Jan. 30 in a 7:30 p.m. game at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis.