WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Sawyer was truly out of her mind last night.  One of the great performances I've seen in women's basketball at IWU.  Right up there with Kendall Sosa and some of the best games by Lauren Huber.  She's so quick, great footwork and quick hands.  A joy to watch, such energy and hard work on defense, always.

Seems the Titans are coming into better form for the CCIW regular season championship run.  I was surprised by the blowout of Carroll, given their usual strength and current rankings. 

I must say a key to all this is, of course, Bardic's scoring consistency, and also the very strong rebounding presence of Caitlyn Heyden.  She is having a tremendous season as a CCIW freshman. 

Up next, North Park on Saturday, January 10th, 2 p.m.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

Week 5 poll:   IWU at #17, Carroll at #21.

'70

[iwu70]

Congrats to Sawyer White on CCIW Player of the Week and D3hoops National Team of the Week.  She's only getting better and better. 

IWU hosts NPU Saturday January 10th at 2:00 p.m.  She'll be recognized again for her Career Steals record in the IWU program, surpassing Rebecca Ehresman. 

'70

[lmitzel]

Augie 69
NCC 68

Heartbreaker. Augie got a pair of deep threes to end each half, with Jazmeriah Jones hitting the game-winner with about eight second left in regulation to cap an Augie comeback from down five with about a minute to play.

Cali Papez: 21 pts, 11 reb
Tia Lewis: 17 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast
Jazmeriah Jones: 7 pts, 6 reb

Kennedy Hartwig: 15 pts, 4 reb
Natalie Doyle: 14 pts
Biz Daly: 9 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk

[iwu70]

IWU easily over North Park tonight at The Shirk, 77-39.   It was really never in doubt.  NPU just outplayed, over staffed, with only 9 players dressed for this one.  You can't play IWU's pressure with such a short roster.

For NPU:

No player in double figures
Long 9
Morrissey 8

NPU with 27 TOs, and out rebounded 53-34.

Shooting 24%/18% from three/ and 8-8, 100% from the FT line.

For IWU:
Leyden 16
White 11 with 6 steals
Leah Palmer 9
Lam and Bardic 7 each

IWU with only 11 TOs, and 17 assists.  The entire IWU roster got to play tonight.   

Sawyer White honored before the game as the career steals leader now for the IWU program, surpassing Rebecca Ehresman for the record.

IWU moves to 11-4, a clean slate 5-0 in CCIW play. 

IWU'70

[lmitzel]

NCC 67
Wheaton 55

The Cardinals never trailed yesterday, leading 15-5 after one quarter and more or less cruised.

Biz Daly: 10 pts, 8 reb
Jocelyn Trotter: 10 pts, 8 reb
Grace Keiffer: 9 pts, 4 reb, 3 stl

We honored the 2014-15 team at halftime yesterday. Got to see a lot of old friends and they got to see a rarity as this is only the Cardinals' second win over Wheaton in the last 15 or so years.

[iwu70]

New Poll:  IWU#16, Carroll #20. 

Now the meat of the CCIW season. 

I could see IWU winning out . . .

'70

[lmitzel]

Carroll 78
NCC 74

Ultimately this game turned with about two and a half minutes left in the second quarter. The Cardinals had led 27-21 midway through the period thanks to some hot early three point shooting, but Carroll was in the midst of an 13-0 run to take a five point lead. Kennedy Hartwig was seemingly fouled on a three point attempt (as she does; this literally happens at least once every game), except Biz Daly was called for an offensive foul while battling for position against Ryann Wendt. Walking down the court, it looked like she was making a gesture for a replay review, but it sounded like she said something that drew a technical foul call, giving her four fouls with over half the game still left and likely resulting in a five point swing following Emilie Wizner hitting the technical free throws.

And yet despite that, the Cardinals were able to hang around and kept it close. Unfortunately, NCC missed nine layups, including one that would have tied the game at 72, and the Pioneers were able to close it out.

Julia Lokker: 26 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast
Natalie Gricius: 23 pts, 5 reb, 3 stl
Emilie Wizner: 14 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast

Jocelyn Trotter: 21 pts, 4 reb
Dolly Smith: 14 pts, 7 reb
Grace Keiffer: 8 pts

[iwu70]

With a big surge in the 4Q, IWU over Millikin 76-48.

For Millikin:

Dudley 15
Ermeling 12

The Big Blue shooting 40%/32% from 3/45% from the line.  MU with 30 TOs. 

For IWU, the Ava Bardic Show:

Bardic 30, with 5 assists
Kobylarczyk 18
White 11 with 5 steals
Leyden 9 rebounds and 6 steals

IWU at 41%, 42% from 3, and 80% from the FT line.

IWU to 11-4, and 6-0 in league play.

The Titans have Wheaton @Wheaton on Saturday, 5 p.m.

IWU'70

[Green Beer]

Millikin played the Titans pretty tight last night. Didn't get real separation until the 4th qtr. Yet another injury. Balli in a boot, but Robinson got the start and played well. Elyce Knudsen made the short trip from ISU to watch her alma mater. Cool to have a legend in the house.

[iwu70]

Yes, the mid-season injury bug hitting IWU -- Sears and L. Mahlum still out . . .and now Balli in a boot, with an ankle or foot injury of some type.  Not good.  Robinson was OK, but turns it over too much.  I was a bit surprised she got the start over Lipic.  Wheaton will pose a more difficult challenge on the road.  These next three are key road games for IWU, especially @ Carroll, always a difficult place for the Titans to play.

IWU'70