DAVENPORT – Iowa Wesleyan College used a 20-2 second half run to blow open a close game and get a solid 68-55 road win over St. Ambrose University in Midwest Collegiate conference play Wednesday night.
Brittany Okland (Sr.-Kelley, Iowa) dominated inside with a season-high 19 points, and Rachel Mitchell (Sr.-Des Moines, Iowa) had her second straight game with 10 assists as the Tigers defeated the defending MCC champions on their home court. IWC also stayed perfect in the conference at 4-0 and improved to 9-7 overall on the season.
The Tigers led by just one point early in the second half but held the Queen Bees to one basket over a seven-minute span in the second half to assume control. The game was tied seven times and had seven lead changes until IWC took the lead for good on a three-pointer by Megan Couch (Jr.-Mooresville, Ind.) making it 38-35 with 14:20 remaining.
Wesleyan soon after went on its deciding spurt. After Mary Burmeister’s basket got SAU back within three points at 40-37 with 13:43 left, the Tigers took off, eventually growing the lead to 60-39 with 7:39 left after a basket by Mitchell. The Bees never got within double figures the rest of the way.
IWC owned the paint, out-rebounding Ambrose 50-35 and holding the Bees (8-8 overall, 1-3 in the MCC) to 27.8% shooting (20-for-72). Mitchell and Angela Brinkmeyer (Jr.-Hubbard, Iowa) both had nine rebounds and Okland and Ali DeVries (Jr.-Bellevue, Iowa) both added seven boards.
Okland did most of the offensive damage, making nine of 12 shots. Heather Larson (Jr.-Canton, Ill.) also scored in double figures with 11 points, while DeVries added 10 points. Wesleyan shot 50% for the game (22 of 44) and also converted 20 of 27 free throw attempts (74.1%).
The Tigers now get ready to face Mount Mercy College Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Ruble Arena in a battle between the MCC’s two teams unbeaten in conference. The Mustangs are 3-0 in MCC play and have the conference’s best overall record at 12-4.
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.
