The 14th ranked Millikin women's basketball team improved 20-4 on the season defeating North Central College 72-53 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Illinois on February 14.

With one game to play, Millikin is now 12-3 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) play and remain one game behind the first place tie of Illinois Wesleyan and Carroll who both won on Wednesday night. Augustana is now 12-12, 7-8.

The first quarter was a tight one ending play with the teams tied at 13-13. Millikin outscored the Cardinals 24-7 in the second quarter to take a 37-20 lead at halftime. Millikin had its biggest lead of the game of 22 points with 2:33 left in the third period. The teams headed to the fourth quarter with Millikin up 53-38.

Millikin shot 43 percent (29-67) from the field and made 3-16 (19 percent) from three point range. The Big Blue were 11-14 from the free throw line. North Central shot 31 percent (21-68) from the field and went 3-19 from the three-point arc. The Cardinals were 8-18 from the free throw line.

Millikin won the rebounding battle 51-37.

Elyce Knudsen led Millikin with a double double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Sophie Darden had her own double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Bailey Coffman finished with nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Matayia Tellis had eight points and five rebounds.

North Central's top scorer was Jocelyn Trotter with 25 points and eight rebounds. Elle Sutter had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Millikin closes out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 17 hosting Carthage College at 2 p.m.