MARION, Ind. -- Junior forward Elaine Hessel notched career point 1,000 on Thursday night as the No. 8-ranked IWU women's basketball team marched to a landslide 70-25 victory over visiting Spring Arbor (Mich.) University in Luckey Arena.

Hessel reached the milestone with 6:09 to play in the first half on the front end of two free throws. Since seeing limited playing time during her freshman season, Hessel has led the Wildcats in scoring during her sophomore and junior seasons. She has averaged 17.5 points per contest in the last two seasons and has scored at least 20 points in 22 games during that span.

With limited action against Spring Arbor, Hessel tallied 17 points and six rebounds to lead all players in both categories. Hessel was the lone player on both sides with double digits in the scoring column.

The game was never in doubt as Indiana Wesleyan scored the first six points of the game and led wire-to-wire. Seven minutes into the contest the Wildcats held a double digit lead at 12-2.

Leading 26-13 with less than six minutes to play in the opening half, the Wildcats roared into halftime with a 16-2 run to head into the locker room leading 42-15. At the half, the Wildcats had committed just three turnovers while the Cougars had 15.

The second half mirrored the opening half as Indiana Wesleyan scored 13 of the first 14 points to increase the advantage to 55-16 with 12:05 remaining. IWU senior forward BreAnne Miller connected on a field goal with 4:52 left to give Indiana Wesleyan its largest lead of the night at 68-21.

Indiana Wesleyan shot 57.7-percent (15 of 26) during the first half and ended at 49.0-percent (25 of 51). Spring Arbor finished at 23.3-percent (10 of 43) after a 14.8-percent (4 of 27) performance in the second half. IWU finished the game with 10 steals en route to 20 SAU turnovers.

The Wildcats controlled the boards with a 42-to-23 advantage in rebounds. Ten Wildcats earned at least two rebounds in the game, led by Hessel and junior forward LeAnn Douglas with six. Douglas also added eight points and two assists.

IWU junior guard Kayla Thompson contributed nine points, three assists and three steals while freshman guard Taylor Goshert chipped in with nine points as well.

Indiana Wesleyan improves to 15-3 this season and 4-0 in the Mid-Central College Conference. Spring Arbor tumbles to 1-14 and 0-5 in the conference.

The Wildcats will travel on Saturday, January 9 and battle No. 23-ranked University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.