The Millikin women used a late rally to defeat Carthage College 46-44 in the Griswold Center on Jan. 22.

            Carthage had the advantage for almost the entire game talking a 28-21 lead into halftime.  The Lady Reds built a nine point lead twice in the second half before the Big Blue started chipping away.

            With just over five minutes left to play Carthage's Diana Jacklin put the Lady Reds up by seven.  Millikin's Nikki Tipsword hit a big three-pointer to get the Millikin rally started and to pull the Big Blue to within four with just under four minutes left to play.  After a Carthage miss, Tipsword would connect again from long range to make it 44-43 Carthage.  With 1:56 left in the game the Big Blue took its first lead on a Crystal Zeigler jumper to make it 45-44.  Carthage tried to rally, but Elise Wildman made the defensive play of the game when she block Jacklin's shot and took possession of the basketball with 16 seconds left to play.  Beth Wellbaum added a free throw to make it 46-44.

            The game was a physical defensive battle with each team contesting every shot.  Both teams shot 33 percent from the field.  Millikin was 6-16 from three point range (37.5 percent) while Carthage was only 2-13 (15 percent).  Millikin's rebounding kept the Big Blue in the game out rebounding the Lady Reds 44-34.

            Wildman lead Millikin with a double double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.  Tipsword finished with nine points. 

            Carthage's top scorer was Jacklin with 11 points and a team high nine rebounds.

            Millikin improves to 13-4, 5-1 while Carthage falls to 12-5, 3-3.

            Millikin will travel to Wheaton College on Jan. 26.