HUNTINGTON, Ind. -- Senior forward Kayla Thompson's 3-point basket with 2.1 seconds left hit nothing but net as Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball survived a late run by Huntington (Ind.) University for a 64-61 win in Huntington, Indiana.

Indiana Wesleyan (15-2, 4-0 MCC) never trailed on Thursday but Huntington was able to tie the game 61-61 with 20 seconds left. Following a Huntington foul and two IWU timeouts, Thompson hit her second 3-pointer of the night to seal the victory and open 2011 with a win.

The Wildcats did little wrong in the opening 10 minutes of the game. Before the midway point of the half IWU had built a 17-3 lead on the back of senior forward Elaine Hessel. She scored 10 points in that stretch on her way to a team-high 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting.

But Huntington was able to claw back into the contest before the conclusion of the first half.

With Indiana Wesleyan holding a 27-14 lead with 2:49 remaining before halftime, Huntington attempted to cut deep into the deficit. A 12-4 run in two and a half minutes made it a five point game at 29-24 with 23 seconds left. But Indiana Wesleyan had a 3-pointer by Thompson and a free throw by senior forward LeAnn Douglas to close out the half and give IWU a 33-24 halftime advantage.

Huntington (10-6, 2-2 MCC) closed the deficit to 41-38 with 13 minutes to play but once again Indiana Wesleyan would respond. Junior center Krystal Stoneking hit baskets in back-to-back possessions and junior guard Stephanie Burtch followed with a 3-pointer on the next possession to quickly give Indiana Wesleyan a 48-38 lead with 11:35 on the clock.

And almost as quickly, Huntington answered with a 9-2 spurt to close the score to within three at 50-47. The volley continued as IWU scored six straight to lead 56-47 with 5:22 to go. The next six points would be scored by HU as the Indiana Wesleyan lead shrunk back to three at 56-53.

Following a Stoneking layup, Huntington scored four straight to trail by just one at 58-57 with 1:50 remaining. IWU went back to Stoneking who scored and was fouled. She hit the free throw with 1:24 left as Indiana Wesleyan led 61-57.

With just under one minute to play, Huntington scored to make it a one possession game. Indiana Wesleyan turned the ball over and Huntington finally tied the score at 61-61 to setup the dramatic finish for Thompson and the Wildcats.

Thompson finished with eight points, six rebounds and five assists. She did not commit any turnovers and played the full 40 minutes. Stoneking shot 7-of-9 from the floor for 15 points and Burtch was 4-of-7 from deep for 14 points.

The Wildcats shot 51.9-percent (28 of 54) from the floor but attempted only five free throws the entire game.

Huntington was led by a double-double from Kelsey Green with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Sarah Miller finished with a game-high 28 points. Only six Foresters competed and three two did not score.

Indiana Wesleyan will remain on the road for their next game as the Wildcats travel to play Spring Arbor (Mich.) University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 8.