KENOSHA, WIS.—The Carthage College women's basketball team faced Illinois Wesleyan University in their final home bout of 2016-17 on Saturday evening. Alumni and senior day festivities was Saturday afternoon's remedy. Mandy Hozzian, who was honored prior to tip-off, is the lone senior on Carthage's roster.
 
The Lady Reds failed to generate an advantage throughout the contest in an 80-49 loss to the Titans.
 
Rachel Szydlowski was a steady presence for Carthage on both ends of the floor with a team-high 12 points and four blocks. Madie Kaelber chipped in 10 points to round out the Lady Reds in double figures.    
 
Carthage edged the Titans in rebounds at 39-38.
 
The Lady Reds fall to 12-10, 6-7 CCIW while Illinois Wesleyan improves to 16-6, 11-2 CCIW.
 
"These last three games are crucial from a momentum standpoint going forward," said head women's basketball coach Tim Bernero. "We have to find out who's ready to play, figure it out and go from there."
 
Illinois Wesleyan 80, Carthage 49
 
Despite back-to-back three pointers from Bailey Gilbert and Madie Kaelber to open the game, the Lady Reds couldn't generate any lead as Illinois Wesleyan held an 8-6 edge with 7:35 left in the first quarter. The Titans reached their first double-digit lead with 4:10 remaining in the first quarter when Rebekah Ehresman tallied a free throw to make the score 20-10.
 
The Lady Reds closed the first quarter with a 4-0 run to narrow their deficit to 20-14. Illinois Wesleyan outscored Carthage 22-9 in the second frame to widen their lead to 42-23 at halftime.
 
The Titan's 17-of-34 (.500) mark from the field in the second half put the nail in Carthage's coffin to secure an 80-49 win. Rebekah Ehresman led all players with 16 points for Illinois Wesleyan.
 
"We have to figure out how to get ourselves on the right side of things these final three games," said Bernero. "We like the kids we have, so we have to dig in a little bit and end things on a positive note for next season's momentum."
 
The Lady Reds will return to action on Wednesday, February 15 at North Park University. Tip-off time is set for 7:00 p.m.