DES MOINES – Grand View University finished the game on a 25-8 run to hand the Iowa Wesleyan College women’s basketball team a 65-49 loss Wednesday night, the Tigers first loss in Midwest Collegiate Conference play this season.
The Tigers scored just eight points in the final 7:34, and the Vikings scored their final 17 points of the game from the free throw line to drop IWC to 5-1 in the MCC, 10-8 overall. Wesleyan lost in its first game after being ranked 25th in the NAIA Division II coaches’ poll this week, while GVU improved to 4-1 in the conference, 13-6 overall.
The two teams locked up in a physical battle that saw both teams trading punches until Grand View seized control in the second half with some hot three-point shooting and then a number of trips to the foul line. The teams were tied five times and traded the lead eight times in the first 30-plus minutes, and IWC led 41-40 after Heather Larson (Jr.-Canton, Ill.) hit a three-pointer with 7:34 left.
The Vikings came back with two free throws and then hit back-to-back three-pointers to take a 48-41 lead and finish a run of five three-pointers in a five-minute span. Wesleyan continued to stay cold and then GVU spent much of the final three minutes at the free throw line. Grand View shot 21 free throws in the last 3:20, making 17.
Both teams struggled from the field in the game, with IWC shooting 35.4% (17 of 48) and Grand View making 17 of 46 shots (37.0%). The Vikings held a slim 34-33 rebound advantage but the big difference came at the line, where GVU made 23 of 29 attempts (79.3%) while Wesleyan made 10 of 18 shots (55.6%).
Rachel Mitchell (Sr.-Des Moines, Iowa) had a personal season high 17 points and was the only Tiger to score in double figures. Megan Couch (Jr.-Mooresville, Ind.) led the team with seven rebounds, while Ali DeVries (Jr.-Bellevue, Iowa) had four steals.
Jamie Sickles led GVU with 23 points, including 12 of 14 shooting at the free throw line. Alicia Onnen added 13 points.
The Tigers will be on the road again Saturday to face Viterbo (Wis.) University in La Crosse, Wis., for the V-Hawks’ Homecoming. IWC will then be home for its next game Jan. 24 against Waldorf College.
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.
