IWU women edge Wheaton in CCIW final

Posted on February 24, 2018
Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball
Illinois Wesleyan’s women’s basketball team cliched the CCIW title with a win over Wheaton at Shirk Center on Saturday. (Photo by WJBC)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Rebekah Ehresman sank two free throws with 1:15 remaining to give Illinois Wesleyan the lead as the Titans held off Wheaton, 62-60, at Shirk Center to claim the Titans first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin  tournament championship since 2012.

The senior from El Paso-Gridley led the Titans with 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Molly McGraw and Nina Anderson added 11 points. Anderson helped seal with win with two free throws with 16 seconds left.

PODCAST: Listen to the postgame interviews with IWU coach Mia Smith and Ehresman. 

Wheaton (22-5) led 47-40 on a Hannah Frezier three-point play with 8:22 to play before the Titans (24-3) rallied. Ehresman responded with a three-point play and Nina Anderson tied the game with a jumper with 1:50 left.

The win seals an NCAA postseason bid for IWU and puts a regional home bid in play. The pairings will be announced on Monday.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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