Tigers edge Indians on the road

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — The Iowa Wesleyan women’s basketball team hit the road on Saturday, traveling down to Kansas to take on the Indians of Haskell Indian Nations University.

It was a good day for the Tigers as they picked up yet another victory, topping the Indians 69-59 for win number 18.

Both teams traded buckets in the opening minutes.

The Tigers won the tip and opened the scoring with a layup from Isabell West.

It was back and forth for the next four minutes after Haskell tied it at 7-7 with just five minutes to play in the quarter.

Haskell held the lead for just under three minutes, until a three-pointer from Maci Kuchta with a little over two minutes to play.

By the end of the quarter, the Tigers trailed by just two, 21-19.

After three minutes of play, the Tigers tied the game at 23-23 after a jumper from Breanna Wendland.

The Tigers finished the half down four points at 34-30.

The third period saw the same back-and-forth action similar to the first half, with both teams battling on both sides of the ball.

The Tigers were able to tie it halfway through the quarter at 38 a piece. After finishing the quarter, the Tigers held a three-point lead, 45-42.

In the fourth, the Tigers started with a big run, leaping to a 10 point lead after three minutes of play in the quarter.

Iowa Wesleyan would never lose the lead the rest of the way out.

With the win, the Tigers improve to 18-6 on the year and 8-0 in conference play.

Isabell West lead Iowa Wesleyan in scoring with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Breanna Wendland added 13 points, and Maci Kuchta added 10 points.

They finished 48% from the field (24/50), 33.3% from three (5/15), and 63.6% from the free-throw line (14/22).

Iowa Wesleyan will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 14 for senior night against Baptist Bible College.