MAROIN, Ind. -- A hot-shooting second half plus a bevy of 3-point buckets equaled a 79-63 victory for Indiana Wesleyan University over Goshen (Ind.) College in women's basketball action Saturday afternoon in Luckey Arena.

Following a poor shooting performance in the opening half, No. 4-ranked Indiana Wesleyan caught fire by hitting 72.7-percent (16 of 22) of their shots in the final 20 minutes. IWU connected on 75.0-percent (6 of 8) from beyond the arc in the second half and finished with 11 3-pointers in the game.

Wildcat junior guard Kayla Thompson, junior forward Elaine Hessel and sophomore guard Stephanie Burtch all tallied three baskets from 3-point range while sophomore guard Rachel Steinbarger added a pair.

But both teams struggled to score consistently from the tip-off as neither team gained a lead greater than three points. There were five ties and five lead changes in the first nine minutes of play as the game was tied 11-11.

Indiana Wesleyan took command of the contest in the next five minutes as IWU outscored Goshen 15-2 to take a 26-13 advantage with 5:50 left before the half. The double figure lead would not last long.

Goshen responded with 12 of the next 14 points to suddenly come within three points of Indiana Wesleyan at 28-25 just before halftime. Burtch would connect on one of her three 3-point baskets with 11 seconds left in the half to give Indiana Wesleyan the 31-25 advantage heading into the break.

The Wildcats opened the second half with the first six points to retake a double digit lead at 37-25. But once again Goshen would close the gap to within a single possession.

Over six minutes the Maple Leafs turned a 12 point deficit to just three at 44-41 with 11:59 remaining. Goshen would not get any closer the rest of the way.

After trading buckets the next six and a half minutes belonged completely to Indiana Wesleyan, courtesy of a 26-6 run to stretch the IWU lead to 23 points (72-49) as 4:17 was left in the game. IWU sank six 3-point baskets during the run, including three straight possessions with the long ball to open up the stretch.

Goshen junior guard Erica Yost led all players with 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting. Senior forward Lindsay Gangloff added 13 for the Maple Leafs.

Four players ended in double figures for the Wildcats, led by Hessel with 18 points. Burtch scored 15 and junior forward LeAnn Douglas chipped in 12. Thompson had a stellar all around game for IWU with 15 points, eight boards, six assists and two steals.

Steinbarger finished the day with nine points and sophomore center Krystal Stoneking contributed seven points, five rebounds and three steals.

The Wildcats ended the contest at 51.0-percent (26 of 51) shooting from the floor and Goshen was at 48.1-percent (25 of 52).

Indiana Wesleyan will remain at Luckey Arena for the next game as the Wildcats host No. 15-ranked Bethel (Ind.) College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27.