MARION, Ind. - No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan women's basketball defeated IU-South Bend 65-64 to advance in the first game of the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.  Wildcats continue the postseason run to the Round of 32 hosting Midway University tomorrow afternoon at 4pm.

 

THE ESSENTIALS

 

• Location: Luckey Arena I Marion, Ind.
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - 12 | IUSB - NR
• Records: IWU 29-4, 14-3 I IUSB 25-8, 17-5
• History: Wildcats hold a 21-7 record over the Titans.  IWU stretches to a 16 game win streak over IUSB dating back to November 11, 2003.
• Follow Athletics (@IWUWildcats): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
   

WHAT HAPPENED

 

• IUSB jumped out to an early lead before a Jordan Reid layup tied the game 14-14. Titans responded with a 7-0 run to lead 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.
• Titans continued to click stretching the lead to as much as 13 on a Rachael Robards three pointer.  Going into the locker room, Titans led 39-32.
• Wildcats came out of halftime hot pulling within one after a good Kelli Damman three pointer followed by two Damman free throws on the next possession.  After exchanging baskets over a five minute span, Klair Merrell hit a three to give Wildcats their largest IWU lead of the entire ballgame with a three point lead.
• Titans had the lead the entire fourth quarter until a Reid steal complemented by a layup and a good jumper again by Reid brought Wildcats within-one with 43 seconds remaining. Titans went 1-2 from the free throw line to go up 64-62 with 26 seconds left. A huge and-one play by Maddie Lawrence with 16 seconds remaining gave Wildcats the final basket of the game as Wildcats won 65-64.
   

NOTABLE NUMBERS

 

• 4:33 minutes - total time Wildcats had the lead
• 6 - times the score was tied
• 14 - assists on 24 made baskets
• 37.5% - Wildcat's third lowest percentage from the floor in a win this season

 

KEY WILDCATS

 

• Jordan Reid - 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
• Maddie Lawrence - 15 points, 6 rebounds
• Kelli Damman - 10 points, 3 steals

  

NATIONALS RUN CONTINUES

 

• Wildcats move on to the Round of 32 hosting Midway University tomorrow afternoon in Luckey Arena at 4pm.  The winner advances to the Sweet 16 at the Tyson Event Center on March 18.

#