MARION, Ind. -- Sophomore forward Elaine Hessel scored a career high 30 points as the Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball team dismantled previously unbeaten University of Michigan-Dearborn 78-48 on Friday afternoon in Luckey Arena.

Hessel's previous career high was 25 points which was achieved earlier this month against Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) University. She was 9-of-13 from the field and 12-of-13 from the charity stripe. Hessel also tallied her fourth double-double of the season as she grabbed 10 rebounds.

Michigan-Dearborn entered the contest as a statistical juggernaut in NAIA Division II, ranking in the top-10 in eight statistical team categories. The Wolves entered with the top scoring margin of plus-31.3 points and the nation's top unit in field goal percentage at 49.8-percent. UMD lost by 30 points and was held to 27.5-percent (14 of 51) shooting this afternoon.

The Wolves also began the day fourth in the country in scoring defense with 50.5 points per game while ranking eighth in scoring offense at 81.8 points per game.

Indiana Wesleyan (11-4) stumbled early in the contest and trailed 10-8 with 12:41 left in the opening period. But the Wildcats took complete control of the game over the next five minutes with a 20-4 run and led 28-14 with 7:16 on the clock.

IWU earned their largest lead of the half at 15 (32-17) before an 8-2 run by Michigan-Dearborn cut the score to single digits at 34-25. IWU sophomore guard Kayla Thompson hit a field goal at the buzzer to give the Wildcats a 36-25 halftime lead.

Michigan-Dearborn (10-1) never trimmed the lead to less than 11 points in the second half. A 12-1 Indiana Wesleyan spurt midway through the half extended the advantage to 63-36 with 9:23 to play.

The largest lead of the night was 31 points when Indiana Wesleyan led 76-45.

Freshman guard Rachel Steinbarger connected for 12 points off the bench for the Wildcats with four boards and four steals. Thompson ended the afternoon with 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Indiana Wesleyan shot well from the line going 25-for-28 (89.3-percent) and out-rebounded the Wolves 42-to-30. IWU forced Michigan-Dearborn into 23 turnovers and 18.8-percent (3 of 16) shooting from 3-point land.

Michigan-Dearborn was led by senior guard Chanel Bridges with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan is now off for 11 days during the holidays and returns to play at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30 as the Wildcats host Robert Morris (Ill.) College in Luckey Arena.