WHEATON, Ill. – Although Wheaton stayed on the heels of the Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team until the final seconds of the game, the Titans held onto the lead for an 88-84 victory Saturday, Feb. 22, night at King Arena.
The Titans (17-7) are now 11-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and seeded second in the league behind Carthage (13-1), who clinched the CCIW title after a 77-64 victory over Millikin Saturday.
IWU will face No. 3 Wheaton (19-6, 9-5) again Friday, Feb. 28 for the semifinal game of the CCIW Championships in Kenosha, Wis.
The Thunder put up a tough fight, remaining a couple baskets from the Titans a majority of the game with the lead changing twice. IWU, however, was able to stay atop Wheaton heading into halftime, 41-38.
The second half read similarly, as the Thunder stage a comeback with just seconds on the clock and one possession from winning the game. But the Titans held them off, outscoring Wheaton by only one point in the second half, 47-46, for the overall four-point victory.
The Thunder outrebounded the Titans, 45-39, but IWU was able to force 18 turnovers and make eight steals.
Illinois Wesleyan Statistics, Leaders
Field goal percentage- .492 (29-of-59)
3-point field goal percentage- .111 (1-of-9)
Free throw percentage- .707 (29-of-41)
Lexi Baltes- 21 points, 7 rebounds
Colleen McMahon- 15 points
Katy Seibring- 13 points, 6 rebounds
Wheaton Statistics, Leaders
Field goal percentage- .40 (28-of-70)
3-point field goal percentage- .545 (6-of-11)
Free throw percentage- .667 (22-of-33)
Katie McDaniels- 29 points, 6 assists
Hannah Considine- 12 points, 6 rebounds
Maria Panaggio- 12 points, 7 rebounds
Who's Next?
The Titans will play their final regular season game against North Park on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Shirk Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.