INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- A dominant second half performance propelled No. 13 Indiana Wesleyan University women’s basketball to a 56-39 victory over No. 2-ranked and defending national champion Marian (Ind.) on Wednesday in Indianapolis. The Knights took a two point lead into halftime but Indiana Wesleyan outscored Marian 33-14 in the second half to gain sole possession of first place in the Crossroads League standings.

GAME VITALS

• Score:  Indiana Wesleyan - 56   |   Marian - 39
• Records:  Indiana Wesleyan 9-3, 4-0 Crossroads League   |   Marian 10-2, 3-1 Crossroads League
• NAIA Top- 25 Rank:  Indiana Wesleyan - No. 13   |   Marian - No. 2
• Location:   Physical Education Center   |   Marian University   |   Indianapolis, Indiana 
   

STAT TRACKER

• Kelsey Key:  8 points, 8 rebounds
• Chelsea Winner:  18 points, 7-10 FG, 4 rebounds
• Anna Imhoff:  7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
• Brittany Washington:  12 points, 3 assists
• Haley Woodruff:  6 points, 9 rebounds

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The Knights held a 25-23 halftime lead. The Wildcats then made a statement in the third quarter as they outscored the Knights 20-4 to take a 43-29 lead as the game moved to the fourth quarter.
• Marian got as close as 10 points in the fourth quarter as IWU’s lead was 47-37 at the midway point of the quarter. But IWU scored 9 of the final 11 points to collect the 17 point victory.
• Marian entered play tonight as one of the top offensive teams in the NAIA. They ranked second with a 48.5 field goal percentage and eighth in scoring at 82.8 points. Indiana Wesleyan limited Marian to 39 points and 25.5-percent (14 of 55) shooting. The 39 points is 31 points below their previous season-low of 70 points.
• The Wildcats dominated the glass with a 43-25 advantage in rebounds.
• Marian has already defeated four teams currently in the Top-25  in No. 7 Concordia (Neb.), No. 12 IU Northwest, No. 15 Purdue Northwest, and No. 17 IU East.
  
   

COACH BELLINGER SAYS…

• “We are so happy with the effort of the team tonight. Marian has a great environment and a very good basketball team. We ended up on the lucky end of a couple of bounces tonight and were able to capitalize by controlling the tempo and getting to the foul line. This team is proving that they can win in many different ways. Our focus is going to continue to be to prepare for every moment and to attack it together.”
   

NEXT TIME OUT

• Indiana Wesleyan returns to action next Friday as they play at #RV Asbury (Ky.) in Asbury, Kentucky. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.