DECATUR, Ill. - In Saturday's College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) action, the Carthage College women's basketball team fell 88-85 in a close contest against No.14 Millikin.

• Final score:  No. 14 Millikin 88 - Carthage 85 
• Location: Griswold PE Center - Decatur, Ill. 
• Records: Millikin 21-4 (13-3 CCIW) Carthage 12-13 (5-10 CCIW)

• Carthage found themselves trailing 13-6 four minutes into the first quarter. 
• Marianna Morrissey chipped away at the lead with a three-point play in the final seconds of the quarter, decreasing Milikin's five point lead.
• The two teams carried the momentum over to the second quarter, with Carthage shrinking the advantage with a four-point run, 33-29, with six minutes remaining. 
• Lauren Knight closed out Carthage's offense in the first half with a three-pointer in the final seconds, 43-36. 
• Milikin led 47-36 going into halftime. 
• Addison Ebeling kicked off the offense with a jumper in the opening minutes of the third quarter, 54-38. 
• The Firebirds ended the quarter trailing by double-digits, 72-60. 
• Margueret Spear opened the fourth quarter with three three-pointers to make it a one possession game, 76-73, with eight minutes left. 
• Both teams kept each other at bay, with a three-point shot from Marianna Morrissey leading to a one-point deficit for Carthage, 84-83, with under three minutes left. 
• Carthage ended the night with a pair of free throws from Margueret Spear, before falling 88-85 against Milikin. 

• Marianna Morrissey led with 29 points and five rebounds, Margueret Spear ended with 17 points and five rebounds, and Lauren Knight added 14 points.
• Morrissey tallied her sixth game this season scoring over 20 points along with Spear recording 17 points for the second-straight game. 
• Elena Knebel contributed six points and four rebounds, while Addison Ebeling chipped in with nine points on the offensive end. 

"'I'm so proud of our team and how hard we fought today. It was an 18 point game early in the 3rd quarter and we got it back to a one point game. We talked about having no regrets after today no matter the outcome and our team should have no regrets after how hard they fought to the finish. It hurts that we don't get to play next week but I am so proud of how far we have come this season. I'm so thankful for our seniors and what they gave to this program. The future is bright and they helped lay the foundation."

• Carthage has concluded the 2023-2024 season with an overall record of 12-13 and 5-11 in CCIW play.