Millikin 63, Carthage 57
KENOSHA - The Carthage women's basketball team hosted the Millikin Big Blue in the first round of the 2025 CCIW Tournament. After a slow start for both the teams, the Big Blue used a strong second quarter to build a lead to earn the win and advance to the CCIW semifinals. 



The Big Blue got on the board first with a three from Emily Brenneisen before a layup from Nikkel Johnson gave Millikin an early 5-0 lead. Emma Thistle got the Firebirds on the board with a three pointer and a layup from Grace Cord tied the game at 5-5 with 4:27 left in the quarter. Points came at a premium the rest of the way, with Millikin holding an 8-6 lead at the end of the quarter. Thistle led the Firebirds with four points in the quarter.

Johnson got the first basket of the second quarter to give Millikin a 10-6 lead. Emma Carlson responded with a basket before a three from Malia Green gave the Firebirds their first lead of the night at 11-10. The two teams traded the lead back and forth before a 6-0 run gave the Big Blue an 18-13 lead. Marianna Morrissey cut the deficit to three with a layup before a 6-1 run gave Millikin a 24-16 lead to end the half. 

Morrissey made a free throw to start the scoring for the Firebirds in the third quarter. A 6-0 run fueled by a basket from Morrissey and a pair of layups from Green cut the deficit to 26-23 with 4:54 to play in the quarter. The Big Blue used a 6-0 run of their own to rebuild their lead, before heading into the fourth quarter with a 41-33 lead. Cord led the Firebirds with six points in the quarter.

Green got the Firebirds started with a layup to open the fourth quarter. Green and Cord combined for a 7-0 run over a span of 70 seconds to cut the deficit to 44-42 with 6:07 left in the game. Millikin called time out and responded with a three pointer from Kyleigh Block to boost the Big Blue lead back to five points. A pair of free throws from Morrissey cut the deficit to three, but the Firebirds were unable to close the gap and fell to Millikin 63-57.


 

• Green led the Firebirds offense with 19 points, three rebounds, and two steals.
• Cord finished with 13 points and six rebounds.
• Morrissey finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

The Firebirds 2024-25 season concluded with an overall record of 17-9. This marks the most wins for the program since the 2018-19 season. Carthage women's basketball will return for the 2025-26 season. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.