UPLAND, Ind. -- No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball improved their NAIA DII best 19-game win streak on Thursday with a 67-52 victory at Grant County rival No. 25 Taylor (Ind.) University in Odle Arena.

The Wildcats top-rated defense held in check a potent Trojans offense that ranked in the top-25 nationally in Field Goal Percentage and Points per Game. The Trojans have shot 42.7-percent for the season but tonight were held to 33.8-percent (22 of 65). TU also scored more than 75 points per game but were limited to 23 points below their season average.

Indiana Wesleyan (19-0, 7-0 CL) also struggled offensively as they shot 41.7-percent (25 of 60) from the field and 53.8-percent (14 of 26) from the free throw line. But IWU was able to get to the line 19 more times than Taylor and scored nine more points from the foul line.

The Wildcats continued their recent trend to jump out quick on opponents as IWU scored the first 11 points on Thursday. The Trojans scored their first points on a 3-pointer by Rayana Carneiro with 14:58 on the first half clock. That shot ignited a 10-0 Trojan run to close the gap to 11-10.

Taylor (13-6, 2-5 CL) claimed their first lead of the game at 22-21 on a basket with 6:39 left before halftime. But a bucket in the paint by sophomore center Val Sohasky put Indiana Wesleyan back on top with a lead they would not relinquish. IWU took a 30-26 lead into halftime.

In the very early goings of the second half Indiana Wesleyan used a 10-3 spurt to capture a 10 point cushion at 42-32. Sophomore forward Katrina Blackmon keyed the run with six of her 13 points, including her third 3-pointer of the season. Blackmon also earned five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the victory.

Indiana Wesleyan held a 53-42 lead with 5:12 to go before Taylor made one last run. Taylor scored seven points in a two minute stretch to cut the deficit to 53-49 as 3:36 remained. But Blackmon gave IWU breathing room with a field goal and two free throws on back-to-back possessions. Following another defensive stop, senior guard Claire Ray hit a field goal for a 59-49 lead with 2:13 remaining.

The Wildcats tallied the final eight points of the game, including four from the free throw line, to earn the 67-52 victory.

Senior forward Paige Smith added her third double-double of the season with team-highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Emma Stahl totaled 13 points and a career-best eight rebounds while Ray chipped in eight points, six boards, and four steals.

Indiana Wesleyan has a second tough game in a row on Saturday as IWU hosts No. 15 Bethel (Ind.) College. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Luckey Arena.