GOSHEN, IND. - No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan women's basketball secured the Crossroads League regular season championship outright on Wednesday, defeating Goshen 86-53. This marks the second time the Wildcats have claimed the regular season championship in Head Coach Ethan Whaley's tenure, also winning in 2023. The win also gives the Wildcats an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament and secures home court advantage throughout the Crossroads League Tournament.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Goshen, Ind. | Ruth Gunden Gymnasium
• Records: IWU: 26-1, 16-1 | GC: 11-15, 5-12
• NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - #2 | GC - NR

WHAT HAPPENED

• Goshen built up an early lead and hit a shot with 12 seconds left in the first quarter to take a 19-18 lead into the second after IWU had taken the lead on a Maddie Lawrence three.
• An Izzy Reed three to open the second quarter gave IWU the lead and they would never trail again. The Maple Leafs tied the game on their next possession, but the Wildcats outscored the home team 25-9 in the frame to build a commanding 15 point lead at half.
• GC hit three from distance in the first 5 minutes of the second half to keep the Indiana Wesleyan lead within 15, but the red and gray responded by knocking down three straight to end the quarter and take a 24 point lead into the fourth.
• IWU held Goshen to just 10 points in the final quarter to secure the win and Crossroads League Championship.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 28: IWU generated 28 points off of Goshen's 20 turnovers.
• 42: The Wildcat bench supplied 42 of the squad's 86 points.
• 14: Tori Thompson scored a career high 14 points by knocking down 4 triples.

KEY WILDCATS

• Ellie Kelleher: 16 points, 5-6 FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
• Tori Thompson: 14 points, 5-9 FG, 4-7 3PT
• Maddie Lawrence: 11 points, 4 assists, 4 steals

LOOKING AHEAD

• The Wildcats wrap up the regular season on February 22nd at home against #12 Marian at 1:00 PM
• Links for video and live stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com
• Tickets can be purchased at IWUWildcats.com

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