Late three lifts Titans to victory

More news about: DePauw | Illinois Wesleyan
Mar 04, 2022
Kate Palmer's only basket of the night was a big one for Illinois Wesleyan.
Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com
 

First year guard Kate Palmer hit the game-winning three in the closing seconds and Illinois Wesleyan upset No. 15 DePauw, 56-55, in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament.

Illinois Wesleyan jumped on DePauw early and led 24-12 after one period. The Titans went 10 for 19 in the first quarter with four 3-pointers. The second period did not have much offense from either team. DePauw outscored Illinois Wesleyan 9-5 and trailed 29-21 at the break.

DePauw pulled even at 36-all with an 8-0 run capped by Maeve Summerville's jumper with 3:41 to play in the third quarter. Lauren Huber briefly gave the Titans the lead back with two free throws before Summerville hit a three and Ava Hassel added a free throw, putting the Tigers up 40-38 to start the final period.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Illinois Wesleyan went in front, 52-47, on Katelyn Heller's jumper. The Tigers responded by scoring the next seven points, five of them from Summerville. The teams traded free throws and DePauw led 55-53 with 12 seconds to play. The Titans rebounded a missed free throw and hurried up the floor. Brooke Lansford drove inside the arc, drew two DePauw defenders and found Palmer, who had shot 0 for 5 to that point. Palmer caught the ball and fired up the winning shot from just in front of the Titans' bench. The Tigers got the ball inbounds but could only manage a three-quarter court heave that was off the mark.

"I was struggling a little bit the rest of the game but I was ready for it. I saw Brooke coming down and she always finds us in that transition," Palmer said of her game winning shot. 

Illinois Wesleyan (20-8) held the Tigers to eight assists against 19 turnovers and converted those turnovers into 17 points. The Titans were led by Mallory Powers with 13 points and six rebounds. Summerville led all players with 19 points and 12 rebounds. 

"If you had been in our locker room prior to the start of that game, I think you would've thought we were going to win because our confidence is right where it needs to be," said Titans coach Mia Smith. "We're locked in, we know exactly what we have to do." 

Illinois Wesleyan will face regional host UW-Whitewater in the second round on Saturday night. The Warhawks defeated Illinois Wesleyan, 75-43, in Bloomington, Ill. in the first month of the season.