MARION, Ind. - No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan women's basketball hosted their county rival, Taylor University, on Tuesday night for their last game before Thanksgiving. The Wildcats will have plenty to be thankful for after grinding out a hard-fought win over the Trojans, 87-83.
- Location: Marion, Ind. | Luckey Arena
- Records: IWU - 7-2, 2-0 CRL | TU 4-4, 0-2 CRL
- NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - #4 | TU - Unranked
- Jordan Reid scored 8 points in the 1st quarter to help give the Wildcats an early 27-21 lead.
- IWU locked down defensively in the 2nd and forced 8 Taylor turnovers, extending their lead to 49-36 at half.
- Taylor shot 57.9% in the 3rd, while IWU went ice cold at 25%. The Trojans took the lead 63-61 heading into the final frame.
- Both teams went on runs in the 4th and IWU held a 2-point lead with 10 seconds left.
- Two clutch free throws from Jade Nutley made it a two-possession game and secured the 87-83 victory for the Wildcats.
- 31: IWU scored 31 points off Taylor's 18 turnovers in the contest.
- 93: The Wildcats shot 93% from the charity stripe, compared to 82% for Taylor
- 48: The red and grey made their highest percentage from three-point range this season at 48%.
- Lillie Frasure - 19 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds
- Klair Merrell - 18 points, 7-9 FG, 3 steals
- Jordan Reid - 18 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
- Jade Nutley - 16 points, 4-9 3FG
- "It was definitely a Taylor game," said Ethan Whaley, Head Women's Basketball Coach. "Both teams competed like crazy, and it was a heck of a battle! Not much defense was played, but that makes for a more exciting atmosphere for sure! I was proud of our grit and resolve we showed in spurts when Taylor made runs. We came together in big moments and squeaked out a win!"
- IWU will be on the road next week as they travel to Spring Arbor on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m
- The Wildcats are back home on Dec. 10 at 1:00 p.m. against Bethel.
- Individuals looking to attend can purchase tickets at IWUWildcats.com/Tickets
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