The Millikin women's basketball team won 79-70 at Carthage College on February 11 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The win maintains Millikin's two game lead in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) and with two games remaining clinches at least a share of the conference title. Millikin is now 13-1 in CCIW play and 19-4 overall.  Carroll University is in second place at 11-3.

The game was a battle throughout with 10 lead changes and six ties. Millikin's largest lead of the game was 11 points in the final minute of the contest. Carthage's biggest lead was four points in the first quarter. The Firebirds lead 21-19 at the end of the first quarter with the Big Blue leading 39-38 at halftime. Millikin lead 58-55 at the end of three quarters. Millikin lead 63-62 with 7:36 left to play. The Big Blue then went on a 6-0 run to open up a little breathing room. Elyce Knudsen hit a basket with 3:50 remaining to make it 69-62. The Firebirds could not get closer than four points over the final minutes of the game.

Millikin shot 28-65 (43 percent) from the field and made 6-21 (29 percent) from three-point range. Carthage made 26-61 (42.6 percent) from the field and stayed in the game with its three-point shooting making 9-24. Carthage made five threes in the first quarter. Millikin had an advantage at the free throw line going 17-25 while the Firebirds were 9-13. Carthage won the rebounding battle 39-37. Millikin forced Carthage to commit 17 turnovers while making on nine.

Knudsen led Millikin with 35 points, five rebounds and three assists. Chelsea McCullum had 10 points and four rebounds. Sophie Darden had nine points, seven rebounds and four steals. Sarah Ness added eight points.

Lauren Knight led Carthage with 23 points followed by Marianna Morrissey with 14.

Carthage falls to 9-14, 5-9.

Millikin will play its final home game of the regular season on Wednesday, February 15 hosting Elmhurst University at 7 p.m. The Big Blue close out the regular season on Feb. 18 at Carroll University.