The #23 Millikin women's basketball team took a big step closer to a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament defeating Illinois Wesleyan University 82-65 in the semifinal round of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament. The Big Blue will face Augustana College in Saturday's Championship Game battling for the automatic berth to the national tournament.

Millikin started the game on a 6-0 run and would never trail in the game. The defense propelled Millikin forcing 24 Illinois Wesleyan turnovers results in 30 Big Blue points. Millikin dominated the paint area 54-36. The Big Blue led 20-11 at the end of the first quarter and 38-29 at halftime.  

Millikin shot 47 percent (36-76) from the field but struggled from three-point range going only 2-12. Millikin shot 52 percent from the field in the third quarter and 73 percent (8-11) in the fourth quarter. Illinois Wesleyan shot 42 percent (25-59) from the field.

Millikin's top scorer was Elyce Knudsen with 25 points, four rebounds and three assists. Seniors Abby Ratsch and Chelsea McCullum stepped up big for Millikin. Ratsch had her best game of the season scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds. McCullum scored a career high 18 points with three steals.

Lauren Huber led the Titans with a double double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Millikin improves to 22-4 while Illinois Wesleyan's second ends at 16-11.

Millikin will play Augustana at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Griswold Center in the Championship game. The Vikings defeated the number two seed Carroll University 69-64 in the first semifinal game.