LIVONIA, Mich. - No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan women's basketball team escaped a near upset this evening with an overtime win over Madonna University 78-70. IWU gave up a 19-point lead in the third quarter and a 14-2 run by Madonna in the fourth quarter brought the game to a tie at the end of regulation.
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• Wildcats exchanged baskets back and forth throughout the first quarter. A layup good by Jade Nutley put the Wildcats up three before Crusaders finished the quarter with a layup, having the Wildcats lead 16-15 after the first.
• The second quarter, Wildcats began to take more control of the game leading by as many as 10 on two different occasions. IWU led 32-22 at the break.
• IWU started to run away with the game as they spread the lead to 19-points with three minutes to go in the third quarter. Adrianna Trexler scored seven points to lead the third quarter run.
• Crusaders turned on the pressure and weren't going down without a fight. A 14-2 run by Madonna in the fourth quarter brought the Crusaders within reach. Wildcats were up three with 1:16 to go, Crusaders sunk two free throws. After a missed layup by the Wildcats, Madonna scored a layup tying the score 63-63. Jordan Reid scored the go-ahead basket with 24 seconds remaining off a put back in the paint. With 13 seconds left, Madonna echoed IWU and scored the final layup of their own tying it 65-65. A turnover by the Wildcats and a missed jumper at the buzzer for Madonna sent the game into overtime.
• Wildcats took control in overtime play outscoring the Crusaders 13-5. Lilli Frasure scored ten of the 13 points in extra minutes.

INSIDE THE BOX

• Freshman Lilli Frasure put up 20 points in her second debut in a Wildcat jersey. Reid and Trexler followed with 14 points apiece and Madison Davis chipped in 11.
• Wildcats won the battle on the boards 38-30.
• Madonna posted 44 points in the paint to IWU's 32.
• Wildcats shot a low 13% from the arc to Crusaders 33%.

WHALEY PERSPECTIVE

• "It wasn't always pretty but I was really proud of the resolve we showed down the stretch.  At the end of regulation and into overtime we came together and pulled through."

NEXT TIME OUT

• Wildcats head to Missouri to face Columbia College at 6pm on Thursday, November 4. They will continue their road trip playing #17 Central Methodist University on Friday at 1pm.

 

The Wildcats came out on top after outscoring Madonna 13-5 in overtime to win the game! pic.twitter.com/6LAy3gPbkl

— IWU WBB (@IWU_WBB) November 2, 2021