MARION, Ind. -- A 19-2 run early in the first half led the Indiana Wesleyan University women?s basketball team to a 67-39 victory over Malone (Ohio) College on Tuesday night in Luckey Arena.

The win is the third of the season for the Wildcats over the Pioneers. IWU previously defeated Malone 80-55 on November 9 and 44-30 on November 17.

Tonight?s win was reminiscent of the early battles between the two schools as the Indiana Wesleyan defense clamped down on the Malone offense. Malone (2-9) was held to 38.5-percent (15 of 39) shooting and forced into 24 turnovers.

Indiana Wesleyan shot 50.0-percent (26 of 52) from the floor including 45.5-percent (5 of 11) from beyond the arc. The Wildcats out rebounded the visitors by a 34-21 margin.

With the game tied 4-4 after three minutes of play, the Wildcats took control of the game with a 19-2 run to separate themselves from the Pioneers. IWU led 23-6 with just over nine minutes left in the opening half.

Malone never threatened Indiana Wesleyan the rest of the contest as the Pioneers could get no closer than 13 points (23-10).

IWU entered intermission with a commanding 36-17 advantage.

Indiana Wesleyan (13-0) opened the second half with two field goals to push their lead to 23 points at 40-17. The Wildcat lead never dipped under 20 points the rest of the way.

IWU gained their largest lead of 31 points on two different occasions before settling for the 27 point victory.

With the victory, Indiana Wesleyan extends their NAIA record to 51 straight victories.

Junior Kyra Pappas tallied a team-high 10 points as 10 Wildcats registered a basket. Senior Brooke Amstutz added seven points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to action on December 27-29 as the Wildcats compete in the Warner Southern Invitational in Lake Whales, Florida.