The Millikin women's basketball team lost its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) opener falling 67-64 at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin on January 2, 2016.

         The game served as a reminder of how hard it is to win on the road in the CCIW.  Millikin lead 14-11 after the first quarter and took a 32-30 advantage into the halftime locker room.  Millikin pushed its lead to 54-44 at the end of the third quarter before the Lady Reds mounted a fourth quarter comeback.  Carthage used an 11-4 run to pull within three at 58-55 with 4:55 left in the game.  Millikin's Cassie Somers hit a three-pointer with 3:07 left to put the Big Blue up 61-55.  The Lady Reds then scored seven straight including five straight from Morgan Harris to pull ahead at 62-61 with 1:37 remaining.  Trailing 65-61, Millikin pulled to within one at 65-64 on a three-pointer from Devin Curry, with 16 seconds remaining.  Harris hit two free throws to seal the win for Carthage.

         Millikin host 41 percent from the field while Carthage hit 39 percent.  The Lady Reds were 15-18 from the free throw line while Millikin was 9-14.  Millikin won the rebounding battle 42-32.  Millikin was hurt by 20 turnovers including six in the fourth quarter.  Carthage committed 11 turnovers.

         Millikin's top scorer was Somers with 16 points followed by Curry with 10.  Alyssa Saklak had nine points and a team high 10 rebounds.  She added three assists, two blocks and two steals.  Alex Capeles had nine points and six rebounds.  Rachael Weber had seven points and four assists.

         Harris led Carthage with 23 points and 10 rebounds.  Erin Thomas added 15 points.

         Millikin is now 7-5, 0-1 while Carthage improves to 5-7, 1-0.

         The Big Blue will host North Central College on January 6 at 7 p.m. in the Griswold Center.