MARION, Ind. -- The No. 13-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University women’s basketball team used their signature defensive pressure to produce a decisive 70-52 win over visiting Marian (Ind.) College on Saturday afternoon in Luckey Arena.

The staunch Wildcat defense held Marian to just 37.8-percent (17 of 45) shooting for the contest while forcing the Knights into 19 turnovers. IWU out rebounded the visitors by a 38-26 margin.

Marian (15-10, 3-9 MCC) jumped out to their biggest lead of the contest with a 3-point basket to open the game. The Knights would match that lead three minutes later as they led 8-5.

Following a field goal by IWU freshman Leann Douglas and a pair of free throws by senior Brooke Amstutz, the Wildcats gained a 9-8 advantage. Marian responded with a basket by junior Jessica Carr as the Knights led 10-9.

Indiana Wesleyan (22-4, 8-4) raced to a 16-5 run over the next 10 minutes to take control of the game with one minute 31 seconds remaining in the opening half.

By halftime, the Wildcats garnered a 29-17 lead.

IWU was never threatened in the second half as the Wildcats scored seven of the first 10 points in the half to gain a lead of 36-20. Indiana Wesleyan built the lead to as large as 27 points (58-31) en route to their fourth consecutive victory.

In a game which featured 50 foul calls, the Wildcats made 29-of-35 (82.9-percent) free throws while the Knights only made 16-of-24 (66.7-percent).

Indiana Wesleyan senior Lisa Thompson led all scorers with 22 points while pulling down seven rebounds. Amstutz added 18 points while junior Kyra Pappas contributed seven points and a game best eight rebounds.

Marian was led by Carr with 21 points and five rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to the hardwood at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, as the Wildcats travel to Mishawaka, Indiana to battle the No. 4-ranked Bethel College.