MARION, Ind. – No. 1-seeded Indiana Wesleyan women's basketball squared off against No. 16-seed Southwestern Christian in the First Round of the 2023 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship presented by Ballogy. The Wildcats dominated from the start, turning a 33-point halftime lead into a 99-53 win to advance to the Second Round tomorrow. Lilli Frasure scored her 1,000th career point, reaching the milestone in just 67 games.


 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Marion, Ind. | Luckey Arena
• Records: IWU 29-3, 17-1 CRL | SWC 17-14, 12-10 SAC
• NAIA Tournament Seed: IWU - #1 | SWC – #16

WHAT HAPPENED

• IWU shot 61% from the floor in the 1st quarter to take a 28-10 lead.
• The Wildcats held the Eagles to just 11 points in the 2nd quarter to extend their lead to 54-21 at halftime.
• Maddie Lawrence and Izzy Reed combined for 16 points in the 3rd quarter and Indiana Wesleyan continued to roll with a 82-38 lead.
• A three-pointer from Izzy Reed capped off the victory and a Second Round matchup tomorrow.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 1000 – Lillie Frasure surpassed the 1000 career-point milestone
• 60.3% – The Wildcats shot 60.3% from the field, their highest percentage of the season.
• 7 – Southwestern Christian is the 7th team IWU has held under 55 points this year.
• 6 – Indiana Wesleyan had 6 players score in double-figures

KEY WILDCATS

• Jade Nutley - 18 points, 8-11 FG, 4 rebounds
• Kelli Damman - 16 points, 4-7 3FG
• Lilli Frasure - 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists
• Izzy Reed - 13 points, 3-5 3FG
• Klair Merrell - 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
• Maddie Lawrence - 10 points, 5 rebounds

WHALEY PERSPECTIVE

• "I was really happy with the energy and connectedness we came out with," said Ethan Whaley, Head Women's Basketball Coach. "I thought we did a great job being aggressors all night."

NEXT TIME OUT

• The Wildcats advance to play tomorrow in the Second Round of the NAIA National Championship against No. 9-seed Georgetown at 7:00 p.m.
• Individuals looking to attend can purchase tickets at IWUWildcats.com/Tickets.

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

• Follow Athletics (@IWUWildcats): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
• Follow Women's Basketball (@IWU_WBB): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Moving On! ????@IWU_WBB advances to the Second Round of the 2023 NAIA National Championship with a 99-53 win over Southwestern Christian!#BattleForTheRedBanner pic.twitter.com/sFlEitzpkh

— Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats (@IWUWildcats) March 8, 2023

First Round Frames ??#BattleForTheRedBanner pic.twitter.com/9BdSATdC8y

— Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats (@IWUWildcats) March 8, 2023

Six players in double-figures and the Wildcats are headed to the Second Round! ??

?? No. 8-seed Georgetown
??? Wednesday, March 8
? 7:00 p.m.
?? Marion, Ind.
??? https://t.co/PffdaM7oeV#BattleForTheRedBanner pic.twitter.com/kJMbX26y2n

— Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats (@IWUWildcats) March 8, 2023