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College sports

Illinois Wesleyan University Women's Basketball Team Extends Winning Streak to Seven

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The 20th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team secured its seventh consecutive win with a 73-63 victory over the 11th-ranked University of Chicago on December 16. This win, coupled with the Titans' record-breaking 10-2 season performance, contrasts with the Maroons' 7-2 record and their second consecutive loss. The Titans' victory was heavily influenced by their gritty defensive effort, which hindered the highly-efficient Chicago offense.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a 73-63 victory over the University of Chicago on December 16.
  • The Titans' 73 points were marked by 25-for-67 shooting from the field (37.3 percent) and 8-for-29 long-range shots, with 15-for-21 free throw conversions.
  • The University of Chicago's offense was significantly limited, scoring just 63 points on a 39.3 field goal percentage with 24-for-61 overall shooting and 4-of-23 three-point conversions.
  • Sophomore Ava Bardic and junior Caite Knutson led the Titans with 20-point performances, with Bardic contributing 24 points and 5 rebounds and Knutson contributing 21 points and 2 rebounds.
  • Illinois Wesleyan's free throw shooting and rebounding performances were notable; the team secured 15 rebounds and worked for a 46-40 lead in rebounding.
  • Both teams committed a high number of mistakes, with Illinois Wesleyan committing 15 and the University of Chicago finishing with 17.
  • The Titans' momentum in the second half was driven by 11 trips to the charity stripe and 8-for-11 free throw conversions.
  • A key sequence in the final two minutes, involving junior Kate Palmer passing to Ava Bardic for a corner three, amplified the momentum in IWU's favor.
  • In the fourth quarter, Illinois Wesleyan's lead extended to as many as 17 points before securing the 73-63 victory.

Statistics:

  • Illinois Wesleyan University: 73 points, 25-for-67 shooting (37.3 percent), 8-for-29 long-range shots, and 15-for-21 free throw conversions.
  • University of Chicago: 63 points, 24-for-61 overall shooting (39.3 clip), and 4-of-23 three-point conversions.
  • Ava Bardic: 24 points, 10-for-22 shooting, and 5 rebounds.
  • Caite Knutson: 21 points, 9-for-11 at the charity stripe, and 2 rebounds.
  • Mallory Powers: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
  • Sawyer White: 10 rebounds, 7 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Sources:

  • Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics: "Women's Basketball Wins 7th Straight" (December 16)

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