MARION, Ind. -- Trailing by double digits early in the second half the No. 14-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball team came roaring back to complete a 72-64 come from behind victory on Friday night over Madonna (Mich.) University in the MCC/WHAC Challenge in Luckey Arena.

Madonna (2-3) built their second double digit lead of the evening by scoring seven straight points after IWU junior forward LeAnn Douglas opened the second half with a field goal. With just over three minutes completed in the half the Crusaders turned a four point lead into 11 at 46-35.

Seven minutes later IWU junior forward Elaine Hessel scored two of her team-high 20 points as Indiana Wesleyan led 52-51 for their first lead since early in the opening period at 16-13.

Junior forward Kayla Thompson finished the Wildcat run with a basket as 8:49 remained in the contest to give IWU their largest lead at the time of 57-51. A free throw by sophomore guard Ashley Brooks at 5:30 provided the largest lead for the Wildcats of eight points at 64-56.

Madonna did not go away as the Crusaders scored eight of the next 10 points to cut the Indiana Wesleyan lead to two points at 66-64 with 1:28 left on the clock. But Douglas scored on the Indiana Wesleyan next possession and the Wildcats held on defense to clinch the victory. IWU closed out the contest with 4-of-4 free throws in the final 17 seconds for the 72-64 victory.

Indiana Wesleyan (5-0) earned the win behind free throw shooting and forcing turnovers. IWU shot 21-of-27 (77.8-percent) from the line while Madonna was only 5-of-9 (55.6-percent). Indiana Wesleyan also forced 30 Madonna turnovers in the game and collected 12 steals on the night.

IWU sophomore guard Stephanie Burtch h four steals to lead the team while adding 13 points. Burtch shot 5-of-9 from the floor and 3-of-5 from deep. Douglas chimed in with 14 points and sophomore guard Rachel Steinbarger chipped in with 12 points and three assists.

Indiana Wesleyan and Madonna will each play again on Saturday in the MCC/WHAC Challenge. Indiana Wesleyan will play Cornerstone (Mich.) University and Madonna will battle No. 8-ranked Bethel (Ind.) College. Bethel and Cornerstone played the late game on Friday night.