LIVONIA, Mich. -- Madonna (Mich.) University used a second half surge to overcome the Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball team on Friday night in the MCC/WHAC Challenge in Livonia, Michigan.

Indiana Wesleyan held a 36-33 lead at halftime, but host Madonna outscored the Wildcats 43-30 in the second half to earn the victory.

The Wildcats built a lead as large as eight points (31-23) with under four minutes to play in the opening half. But the Crusaders scored 10 of the final 15 points in the half to trail by just three points at intermission.

Madonna (2-6) hit a 3-pointer for the first points in the second half to tie the score 36-36. IWU would not hold the lead again.

The Wildcats trailed 40-39 with 16 minutes to play before the Crusaders exploded for an 11-2 run to take a 10 point lead at 51-41. Indiana Wesleyan scored five straight to cut the Madonna lead in half, but the Crusaders answered with 10 of the next 12 points to regain a double digit lead at 61-48.

INo. 8-ranked ndiana Wesleyan (3-3) clawed back to bring the deficit to five points as Madonna led 66-61 with four minutes left to play. But Indiana Wesleyan could get no closer as Madonna closed out the contest with the 76-66 win.

IWU sophomore forward Elaine Hessel led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Senior guard Andrea Fichter chipped in with 10 points and three assists.

Indiana Wesleyan will next compete at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, as the Wildcats battle No. 6-ranked Cornerstone (Mich.) University in the final day of the MCC/WHAC Challenge in Livonia, Michigan.