MARION, IND. — Indiana Wesleyan Women's Basketball secured a 63-56 victory over Bethel in Luckey Arena on Saturday afternoon. This win secured the fifth seed in the Crossroads League Tournament for the Wildcats. The Wildcats' defense forced 17 turnovers, leading to 26 points off those opportunities. Freshman Addi Hovey came up big for IWU, particularly in OT. She went for a career high 21 points while going 10/10 from the charity stripe.


THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Marion, Ind. | Indiana Wesleyan University
• Records: IWU: 16-12, 10-8  | BU: 19-9, 10-8
• NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - RV | BU - NR

FIRST QUARTER

• Indiana Wesleyan built an early 6–0 lead with two layups from Jayd Hovey, including a fast break finish at 7:38.
• The Pilots responded with a 3-pointer by Mariah Claywell at 6:31 to narrow the gap to one point.
• IWU extended its lead to 14–7 with consecutive 3-pointers from Koryn Greiwe and Kylie Bettinger, the latter coming at 2:59.
• The Wildcats led 17–15 at the end of the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• Indiana Wesleyan capitalized on Bethel's turnovers, converting a series of free throws to extend its lead to 22–15 at 8:23.
• The Pilots struggled offensively with multiple missed layups and turnovers, allowing the red and grey to maintain control.
• At 2:24, Ayla Krygier added two free throws, pushing the home team's advantage.
• The Wildcats carried a 32–25 lead into halftime.

• BU cut the deficit early with a layup by Isabel Scales at 9:42 and a free throw by Isabella Nooe at 7:55, narrowing the Wildcats' lead.
• Indiana Wesleyan responded with a three-pointer by Tori Thompson at 3:34.
• The Pilots managed to stay in contention with a layup and subsequent free throw by Mariah Claywell at 1:29.
• IWU held a 45–41 lead heading into the final quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

•  Indiana Wesleyan extended its lead early with a layup by Addi Hovey at 9:16 and a fast-break score from Ayla Krygier at 8:05.
• Bethel narrowed the gap with consecutive layups by Mariah Claywell, including one at 1:12.
• The visitors tied the game at 53 with a layup by Jazmyn Smith at 0:38, erasing an eight-point fourth quarter deficit.
• The quarter concluded with the score knotted at 53 after the WIldcats failed to convert on two shots at the end of regulation, setting the stage for a decisive overtime period.

• Kylie Bettinger opened the quarter by converting a 3-pointer at 4:38, assisted by Jayd Hovey, to put Indiana Wesleyan ahead.
• At 3:47, Olivia Nickerson responded with a successful 3-pointer for the Pilots, tying the score.
• Addi Hovey reclaimed the lead for the Wildcats with a 3-pointer at 2:32, assisted by Myla Browning.
• Ayla Krygier sealed the victory with two free throws at 0:14, concluding the game with a 63–56 win for Indiana Wesleyan. 

KEY WILDCATS

• Addi Hovey: 21 points, 10 rebounds
• Ayla Krygier: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
• Jayd Hovey: 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals

• The Wildcats will head to Huntington on Tuesday to play the 4-seed Foresters in the Crossroads League Quarterfinals at 7:00 PM.
• Links for video and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com

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