By Justin Bryant, IWU Sports Info

Marion, IN (February 26, 2008) – The NAIA No. 13 Indiana Wesleyan University women’s basketball team defeated Spring Arbor University in the first round of the Mid-Central College Conference Tournament 56-40 behind the play of senior Lisa Thompson and strong defensive play.

Thompson had a game-high 18 points to help IWU (27-4, 12-4) advance to the MCC Tournament semifinals. Senior Brooke Amstutz and freshman Elaine Hessel were the only other Wildcats to score in double-figures with 11 points and ten points, respectively.

The IWU defense held Spring Arbor to a mere 29 percent from the field in the first half as the Wildcats jumped to a 22-12 halftime lead. The Cougars started the second with a 14-6 run that cut the IWU lead to two, before freshman Kayla Thompson made the first IWU three-pointer of the night with 11 minutes left to the play in the game to make it a two possession game.

The second-seeded Wildcats ended the game on an 11-2 run to insure their advancement into the next round of the conference tournament where they will play rival and conference tournament third seed Taylor University in Luckey Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 29.