KENOSHA, Wis. - A late-game surge from the visiting Illinois Wesleyan University Titans, led by star Lauren Huber, was enough to pull away with a road conference win against the Carthage Firebirds. Huber put up 19/6/6/3/1 on 46% shooting in 33 minutes of play, and kick started an offensive barrage by the visitors. Carthage, now sitting at 2-3 in league play and 6-8 overall, were led by Lauren Knight's 19 points. 



 

• Final score: Illinois Wesleyan 79, Carthage 68. 
• Location: Tarble Arena - Kenosha, Wisconsin. 
• Records: Carthage 6-8 (2-3 CCIW), Illinois Wesleyan 8-7 (3-3 CCIW). 

 
 

• The first quarter of play was low-scoring and closely contested, as each team played rugged defense to begin the game. The final three minutes of the quarter saw only one made field goal, as Illinois Wesleyan converted late to take the first ten minutes by a score of 11-10. 
• Each team shot 1-6 from deep in the opening quarter and only two free throws were taken. The two CCIW squads were in a dead heat in numerous categories, such as rebounding (eight each), three-point percentage (1-6, 16%), ties and lead changes (four and nine, respectively), assists (three), points off turnovers (eight), and possessions (34). 
• Carthage scored the first five points of the second quarter, pulling out in front 15-11. Lauren Knight hit a three to bring her point total to eight early in the second quarter. 
• The two teams went back and forth all throughout the quarter, with the largest lead by either side being just four points. Carthage's forwards had a productive quarter, as Destiny Antoine, Addison Ebeling, and Elena Knebel each scored. The Firebirds led 27-26 heading into the halftime break. 
• Coming out of the locker room, the Firebirds built a six-point lead - their largest of the game up to that point - thanks to buckets by Ester and Knight. The lead expanded to seven courtesy of a layup by Elena Knebel before the Titans promptly responded with a 9-0 run to ultimately seize the advantage. The offensive barrage by Illinois Wesleyan led a 15-3 run to close the third quarter, giving the visiting team a five-point lead going into the fourth quarter. 
• The lead was cut to three at multiple points midway through the quarter, but outstanding play by Wesleyan's Lauren Huber answered any response Carthage could muster. The Titans would eventually take a 16-point lead, their largest of the game, with only a few minutes remaining. 
• Wesleyan shot the ball well and only turned it over 13 times. Additionally, the Titans shot 30 free throws - 19 more than Carthage, due in part to their +8 rebounding margin. 
• Carthage shot the ball well from distance, converting on 9-24 3PA (37.5%), but they shot only 63.6% from the charity stripe. 

 

• Lauren Knight shot the lights out this afternoon, hitting seven of 13 shots, including four of eight from distance, to finish with 19 points. Knight also grabbed four boards and dished out five assists. 
• For the second game in a row, Elena Knebel scored a career best in points. The sophomore forward scored 12 on 60% shooting. Knebel also grabbed a career-best eight rebounds while playing a career-high 33 minutes. 
• Marianna Morrissey filled the stat sheet, scoring nine while also registering two rebounds, six assists, and three steals. 
• Addison Ebeling played well off the bench, blocking two shots and scoring seven points.

 

• The Firebirds stay put in Kenosha, taking on the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan in a Saturday matinee game this weekend, beginning at 2 p.m.