MOUNT PLEASANT – Top seeded Iowa Wesleyan College held Viterbo (Wis.) University to 23.5% field goal shooting and just 36 points, defeating the V-Hawks 69-36 in a Midwest Collegiate Conference quarterfinal game Thursday night at Ruble Arena.
The Tigers dominated on the defensive end with a trapping defense, forcing 25 turnovers and never trailing in disposing of the #8 seed quickly and advancing to the MCC tourney semifinals. IWC next will square off against #4 seed St. Ambrose University on Saturday after the Queen Bees defeated #5 seed William Penn University 76-49 on Thursday.
Wesleyan (23-7 overall) also shot 46.8% in the game and out-rebounded the V-Hawks 39-37 despite giving up 21 offensive rebounds. The Tigers, ranked 13th in NAIA Division II, also were able to rest most of their regulars, with no player on the floor for more than 25 minutes.
IWC held Viterbo to just five field goals in the first half in building a 34-12 halftime lead. The V-Hawks shot 17.9% in the first half (5-for-28) and committed 15 turnovers, and the Tigers finished the half on a 12-0 run.
Wesleyan continued to expand the lead in the second half and led by as many as 39 points on two occasions. The Tigers shot 52% in the second half (13 of 25) and held Viterbo below 30 points until 3:13 was left in the game.
Jessi Beachey (Jr.-Fisher, Ill.) and Melanie McCreight (Jr.-Winfield, Iowa) both scored 14 points to lead IWC offensively. Lindsee Bachicha (Jr.-Brighton, Colo.) added nine points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Anna Jones (So.-Cornell, Ill.) also had nine points.
The Tigers made 22 of 47 shots and 20-for-29 from the free throw line (69.0%). Viterbo was 12 of 51 from the field for the game and just 9-for-24 on free throws (37.5%). Paige Babiash and Dani Templin led with seven points each for the V-Hawks, who finished the season 8-24 overall.
IWC’s game on Saturday against St. Ambrose will take place at 2 p.m. at Ruble Arena. Admission for the games is $6 for adults and $2 for students.
For more information regarding the IWC basketball programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
Box score #1 IWC 69 #8 Viterbo 36
MCC Women's Basketball Tournament Bracket
