Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Top-ranked and undefeated Illinois Wesleyan held UW-Stevens Point to just 36.8 percent shooting from the floor for the game as the Titans ended the Pointers postseason run with a 77-64 loss in the sectional round of the 2009 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.

Illinois Wesleyan (30-0) advances to face Washington University of St. Louis for the chance to advance to the Final Four next weekend in Holland, Mich. UW-Stevens Point's season at 26-4, the fourth most wins in a season in school history.

The Titans shot 51.8 percent from the floor for the game, 54.2 percent in the second half while holding UW-Stevens Point to 36.8 percent from the floor, 16.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc. UW-Stevens Point outrebounded Wesleyan 38-35, but the undefeated Titans used 32 points in the paint and 13 second-chance points to pull out the victory.

“I think you have to tip your hat to [Illinois] Wesleyan,” said head coach Shirley Egner. “They are a great basketball team. They shoot the ball extremely well and they are aggressive. They beat us soundly.

“When you shoot 50 percent from the floor, it's tough to win games. We both had four kids in double figures. They shoot 50 and we shoot 37. There is your difference. “

Tied at 15-15 with 10:38 remaining in the first half, the Titans used an 8-0 run to jump in front 23-15, a lead they held for much of the first half. The Pointers got as close as four, 29-25 with 2:15 remaining in the half, but five straight points by Wesleyan pushed the lead to nine.

In the second half, the Pointers would get no closer than eight as the Titans built a 15-point lead with just over 5:52 remaining and held off a late charge by the Pointers to seal the 13-point victory.

The Pointers were led by senior Jessi Sporle (Mineral Point), who tallied a team-high 15 points on a 6-of-10 performance from the floor while Ashley Baker (Vesper) added 14 and Britta Petersen (Luck) and Cassie Bandow (Plover, Pacelli) each added 10.

Christina Solari paced the Titans with 18 points and added 13 rebounds for the double-double.