The Millikin women's basketball team lost to number two ranked Washington University-St. Louis 69-53 on Dec. 31 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Ill.  Washington University-St. Louis is now 9-1 while Millikin goes to 6-5.

          The Bears started out strong hitting on its first four shots and five of its first six attempts including making four three pointers.  Washington University opened the contest with a 13-2 run and controlled the entire game.  Washington University-St. Louis shot 50 percent from the field in the first half including 50 percent from three point range.  The Bears were up 41-19 at halftime.  Millikin outscored Washington University in the second half 34-29.

          On the game Washington University-St. Louis shot 45 percent from the field while Millikin hit on 41 percent of its shots.  A big difference in the game came from beyond the three-point arc where the Bears hit on 8-22 shots (36 percent) while Millikin was 1-5 (20 percent).  The Bears out rebounded Millikin 34-26.

          Millikin's top scorer was Brittany Czaplicki with 14 points.  Jasmine Johnson had a team high nine rebounds along with seven points.

          Maddy Scheppers led the Bears with 23 points.  Melissa Gilkey added 13 and Alyssa Johanson had 10.  Gilkey had a team high nine rebounds.

          Millikin opens College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) action on Saturday, Jan. 4 hosting Wheaton College at 5 p.m.  The Millikin men will face the Thunder at 7 p.m. that evening.