MARION, Ind. -- Despite the frigid conditions outside the Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball team heated up Luckey Arena on Saturday afternoon with an 81-55 trouncing of University of Saint Francis (Ind.).

No. 18-ranked Indiana Wesleyan shot a sizzling 61.7-percent (29 of 47) from the floor to win going away. IWU built a double digit lead just seven minutes into the contest and never looked back to end their two-game losing streak.

The Wildcats did their best shooting from outside the arc. IWU made 8-of-12 (66.7-percent) from deep led by senior guard Jena Schafer's 3-for-3 performance. Schafer ended the game with 11 points.

Saint Francis (9-10, 2-3 MCC) held an early 5-2 lead but that advantage quickly turned into a 12 point deficit as Indiana Wesleyan exploded for a 21-6 run for the 23-11 lead.

With 9:33 remaining in the opening half, Indiana Wesleyan held a 27-16 lead before the Wildcats ran off 15 straight points for a 42-16 advantage with less than a minute before halftime. Saint Francis hit two free throws to close out the first half as IWU led 42-18.

Indiana Wesleyan (13-6, 2-3 MCC) held a 20 point advantage for most of the second half of play. IWU increased the lead to a game-high 26 point cushion on two different occasions in the half, including the final 81-55 score.

Indiana Wesleyan ended the game with 19 assists and 12 steals.

Sophomore Elaine Hessel led all players with 20 points. She was 8-of-10 from the field while pulling down five boards and dishing out four assists. Sophomore guard Kayla Thompson chimed in with 14 points, four assists and five steals while sophomore forward LeAnn Douglas just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Along with the offensive outburst, the Wildcats were equally strong on the defensive end of the court. The Cougars had no answers as they committed 19 turnovers and were forced into 38.8-percent (19 of 49) shooting on the afternoon. USF was held to a dismal 13.3-percent (2 of 15) shooting from long range.

Saint Francis was led in scoring by senior forward Marie Kaufmann with 17 points.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to play at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14 as the Wildcats travel to Indianapolis, Indiana for a conference showdown with No. 16-ranked Marian College.