The Millikin women's basketball team advanced to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Basketball Tournament Semifinals with an 86-70 win over North Central on March 4 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Illinois. The Big Blue will host Carroll University on Saturday, March 6 at 2 p.m.

          Millikin started strong shooting 50 percent from the field in the first quarter to open a 25-16 lead after one quarter. The Big Blue were up 50-42 at halftime. Millikin held its largest lead of the game at 19 points with 3:36 left in the first half before the Cardinals closed out with an 8-0 run to close the gap before halftime.

          The closest North Central would get in the second half was 58-52 with 5:24 left in the third quarter. Millikin answered with a three-pointer from freshman Ashlyn Sturdy to push the lead back to nine. Millikin led 70-59 after three quarters. North Central scored the opening basket of the fourth quarter to pull within nine, but Jordan Hildebrand pushed the lead back to double figures at 72-61 with 8:51 left in the game. Millikin would hold a double digit advantage the rest of the game.

          Millikin made 30-70 (43 percent) from the field including going 8-22 (36 percent) from three-point range. The Big Blue converted on 18-25 from the free throw line. North Central hit on 27-61 (44 percent) from the field and went 4-14 from three-point range. Millikin won the rebounding battle 40-36.

          Junior Bailey Coffman led Millikin with 21 points and seven rebounds. Hildebrand had 14 points and seven boards. Miranda Fox scored 13 points with three assists and four steals. Sturdy finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

          North Central got 18 points and seven rebounds from Elle Sutter. Haydn Braun and Rebekah Foley each scored 14 points.

          Millikin is now 9-3 while North Central ends its season at 2-11.