MARION, Ind. -- No. 5-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University women’s basketball opened up a 30-3 lead to open the game en route to a 75-45 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) in Luckey Arena.

The 30-3 run happened before the midway point of the first half. Counting the last game against MVNU on January 10 where IWU scored the final 31 points, Indiana Wesleyan outscored MVNU 61-3 in a 23 minute span.

“I was really pleased with how we started the game,” said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Steve Brooks. “It set the tone for the rest of the game. I thought we moved the ball and got some really good looks. They came out in a zone and I thought we got good looks and kids caught the ball ready to shoot it and we knocked shots down.”

Mount Vernon Nazarene (4-19, 1-13 CL) outscored Indiana Wesleyan 20-9 over the final 10 minutes of the first half as IWU took a 39-23 lead into halftime.

“We went through a little bit of a lull in the second part of the first half,” said Brooks. “That was something I was not encouraged by. But I thought our kids came out in the second half and made the adjustments we talked about and competed.”

Indiana Wesleyan (22-4, 13-1 CL) steadily increased their 16 point halftime lead throughout the second half. The lead grew to 20 points with 15 minutes remaining and 25 points with less than 9 minutes to play. Indiana Wesleyan captured their largest lead of the game of 30 points on a Michelle King (JR/Lakeland, Fla.) basket with 4:43 to play.

The Wildcats shot 50.0-percent (25 of 50) from the floor and 52.6-percent (10 of 19) from 3-point range. Thirteen of 14 Wildcats scored in the game.

Carlee Cottrell (JR/West Bloomfield, Mich.) led all players with 18 points as she hit 6-of-9 from 3-point range. Chelsea Winner (SO/Maria Stein, Ohio) contributed 14 points while Katrina Blackmon (SR/Marion, Ind.) added 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Emma Stahl (SR/Elkhart, Ind.) assisted on six baskets.

 “I hope she can keep it going,” Brooks said of Cottrell. “This is a big step since she did it two games in a row. I’m really thankful for that and we are going to need it again Wednesday against a very motivated and improved Taylor team.

Indiana Wesleyan travels to Upland on Wednesday night to play Grant County rival Taylor (Ind.) at Odle Arena. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.