Number one ranked Ilinois Wesleyan University proved it, defeating thirteenth ranked UW-Whitewater 87-58 in Kachel Gym in Williams Center in Whitewater, Wisconsin Saturday night. 

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Although Whitewater was within one, 10-9 at 14:23 on a layup by Cortney Kumerow (Bartlett, IL/South Elgin), IWU settled the issue early with a 17-2 run that took the margin up to 27-11 with 9:51 left in the first half.  The Titan lead bulged to 21 twice in the first half, including the intermission score of 48-29.  Junior forward Nikki Preston came in to the game averaging 9.9 points per game, and she scored 19 to lead IWU in the first half.

The lead in the second half reached as many as 34, 73-39 at 10:48, and Whitewater whittled it to 24, 80-56 with 4:00 left.  

IWU shot 49% from the field and made 24-32 free throws.  Whitewater made 40% of its field goals and went 8-12 from the line.  IWU had a 36-29 rebound advantage, and forced 27 turnovers by the Warhawks. 

Senior point guard Kelsey Hendrickson (Monroe/Monroe) led the Warhawks with 16 points and four assists.  Kumerow led UW-W with five rebounds, and Jamie Swanson (Fox Lake, IL/Grant Community) contributed three steals.

Preston led both teams with 25 points, hit 5-10 from three point range.  Junior guard Hope Schulte added 20 points on 7-11 shooting from the field, and senior center Christina Solari chipped in with 11 points and a game high ten rebounds.  Preston also had four assists and four steals.

UW-Whitewater is 9-3 overall and Illinois Wesleyan is 11-0.

Whitewater will host Clarke College (IA) Wednesday at 7:00 in Kachel Gym of Williams Center.

For additional information:  Keri Carollo, UW-W coach