BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Carthage College Lady Reds turned the ball over a season-high 31 times Saturday, January 9th resulting in 35 points off turnovers in the Lady Reds, 76-54, defeat at the hands of the Illinois Wesleyan University Titans at IWU's Shirk Center.
 
"We did not handle the press as well today as we thought we would," said Lady Reds head coach Tim Bernero.  "Obviously we can't simulate it the same in practice as they do it.  But we thought we were well prepared going into it and we just didn't do a good job with the ball."
 
With the loss, Carthage falls to 1-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and 5-9 overall on the season.
 
Bailey Gilbert led Carthage with 12 points on three-of-six shooting and two-of-three from three point territory.  Monica Masini had 11 points, while Erin Thomas added 10 points and a seven assists for her season-high.  Rounding out the statistical leaders, Rachel Szydlowski had seven rebounds for the Lady Reds.
 
After grabbing an early lead, the Lady Reds offense struggled to maintain their early momentum and ability to break the full court press.  After Monica Masini put the Lady Reds ahead, 9-5, midway through the first quarter, the Titans defense held Carthage scoreless for the final four minutes, while using an 11-0 run to their favor to take a 16-9 lead after the first ten minutes.
 
The Lady Reds quickly fought back with a 10-0 run aided by two baskets in the paint by Masini and a three byBailey Gilbert.  Following a pair of technical foul free throws by Morgan Harris and a free throw by Gilbert the Lady Reds snagged the 19-16 lead with 7:16 remaining in the half.
 
"We were challenged offensively and just couldn't score enough," stated Bernero.  "We had the lead after the technical foul and I thought we could get some momentum offensively.  But we turned it over and they were able to get out running."
 
However, much like in the first quarter, the press applied by the Titans defense would hinder the Carthage offense, forcing 16 Lady Reds turnovers which resulted in 20 first half points off turnovers to put Carthage in a 30-42 hole at the half.
 
The Titans continued to push the lead in the third, forcing nine more turnovers in the quarter and extending the lead over the Lady Reds to as many as 20.  Rachel Szydlowski led the Lady Reds in the quarter with five points on two-of-two shooting from the field. 
 
In the fourth, the Lady Reds went cold from the field, getting outscored only 13-9, and shooting just 2-of-12 from the field in the quarter.
 
For the Titans who improve to 7-7 on the season and 2-1 in the CCIW, Molly McGraw led all scorers with a game-high 22 points and was joined by Shelby Gray and Maddie Merritt in double digits with 10 and 13 respectively.
 
The Lady Reds will look to closeout their three game road swing Wednesday, as Carthage visits Elmhurst College at 7:00 p.m. on January 13th.