Box Score MARION, Ind. -- Another convincing victory for the Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball team was overshadowed Wednesday night by the ?Think Pink - Think Leah' campaign that took place inside Luckey Arena.
No. 6-ranked Indiana Wesleyan took care of business on the court with a 69-38 victory over visiting Spring Arbor (Mich.) University, but IWU also took care of some off-court issues as well.
The annual ?Pink Out' game for Indiana Wesleyan hit a lot closer to home this season. The WBCA Pink Zone initiative is to help raise awareness on the issue of breast cancer. Indiana Wesleyan used the platform to not only support this cause, but to also show support of one of their own in freshman Leah Whittaker who was recently diagnosed with stage four colon and liver cancer.
" ?Think Pink - Think Leah' is a way that the Lady Wildcats can bring awareness to the devastating disease of breast cancer and to support Leah and her family as they fight this terrible stage four cancer," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Steve Brooks earlier this week.
Over $1,000 was raised on the night in gate money, concessions and during halftime when buckets were passed around following a video tribute to Leah.
"Our hope is to not only raise awareness but also raise as much money to help offset the many medical expense the Whittaker's are facing as Leah moves through this process at the May
o Clinic," continued Brooks.
Indiana Wesleyan, Spring Arbor, fans, officials and students poured onto the court following the game to collectively pray for Leah. Coach Brooks asked for continued prayer for the whole Whittaker family during this time.
As for the game, Indiana Wesleyan had little trouble in improving their record to 23-3 on the season and 12-1 in the Mid-Central College Conference. IWU maintained their one game conference lead with just three games remaining. None will be bigger than their next contest at No. 7-ranked University of Saint Francis (Ind.) on Saturday afternoon.
Spring Arbor opened the contest with the first four points. Indiana Wesleyan did not score until senior forward Elaine Hessel hit an old fashion 3-point play three and a half minutes in. Hessel's play ignited an 11-2 run to give IWU an 11-6 advantage.
The Wildcats led 16-10 with 8:15 remaining in the half and would score the next 15 points to open a 31-10 lead with 2:29 remaining before halftime.
Indiana Wesleyan would close the period on a 25-3 run that resulted in a 36-12 halftime advantage. Hessel finished the game with 11 points which all came in the opening 15 minutes of the contest.
Spring Arbor would get no closer than 23 points (47-24) during the second half as Indiana Wesleyan built their largest lead of the night at 35 points (69-34).
Junior guard Stephanie Burtch hit a season-high five 3-pointers (on eight attempts) in the victory and finished one shy of her career-best effort from beyond the arc. Burtch led all players with 17 points in 25 minutes of action.
Junior center Krystal Stoneking finished with 11 points and five rebounds while sophomore forward Paige Smith, wearing No. 30 in honor of her roommate Leah, added 10 points and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line. Sophomore guard Taylor Goshert, sophomore forward Lyzz Smith and senior guard Kayla Thompson all led the Wildcats with six rebounds apiece.
The Wildcats tied a season low with seven turnovers on the night while passing out 16 assists. Junior guard Ashley Brooks led all players with four helpers on the evening.
Indiana Wesleyan will clash with Saint Francis at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Fort Wayne, Indiana in a game that holds major ramifications for the MCC standings. IWU holds a one game lead over USF with just three games remaining in the regular season.
