The Millikin's women's basketball team late rally fell just one basket short as the Big Blue lost 72-70 at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, Ill. on Feb. 16.

            Trailing by as many as 21 points in the second half, the Big Blue used an 18-6 run in the game's final minutes to tie game at 70-70 with 37 seconds left in the game.  A Nikki Tipsword three-pointer pulled Millikin to within three with 1:22 remaining at 70-67.  After an Illinois Wesleyan miss, Big Blue junior Brittany Czaplicki drove the floor scoring a layout and one free throw to tie the game.  Titans senior Melissa Gardner hit the game winner with 10 seconds left to play.  Millikin had two shots at the basket in the final seconds, but neither shot would go allowing the Titans to hold on for the win.

            Millikin shot 53 percent from the field including shooting 62 percent in the second half.  Illinois Wesleyan hit on 47.5 percent from the field.  Millikin won the rebounding battle 34-29.  The difference in the scoring was from three-point range where the Titans hit on 5-11 while Millikin hit on only three of 14.  Millikin committed 32 turnovers on the night white forcing 23.

            Czaplicki led Millikin with 15 points and seven assists.  Jasmine Johnson had 14 points and six rebounds.  Holly Haskins had 13 points and Tipsword added 11 points and a team high eight rebounds.

            Katy Seibring led the Titans with 27 points and seven rebounds.

            Illinois Wesleyan goes to 17-7, 10-3 while Millikin falls to 8-15, 3-10.  Millikin will conclude the season on Tuesday, Feb. 19 when they host North Central College at 7:30 p.m.