ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst women's basketball team pulled away in the second quarter on its way to a 75-58 win over Carthage.

The Bluejays (17-5, 9-4 CCIW) outscored the Lady Reds (12-9, 6-6 CCIW) 23-11 in the second quarter and led by double digits for the final 25 minutes of the contest.

After Elmhurst scored the first four points of the matchup, Carthage took its only lead of the game by putting in the next five. Kaela Jones hit a three-pointer with 6:23 to go in the opening period as a part of an 8-0 run, but Carthage kept it close and trailed by just five at the end of the opening period.

In the second quarter, Elmhurst used a four-minute, 14-2 run to pull away and never looked back. During the spurt, the Bluejays scored on 6-of-8 possessions, including three shots from downtown and five free throws.

Mikaela Eppard posted nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the first half, while Jones led the team in scoring with 12, knocking down 4-of-5 from three-point range. The Bluejays held Carthage to just 35-percent from the field and 2-of-10 from distance in the half.

Elmhurst continued its offensive onslaught in the early portions of the second half, scoring nine of the half's first 12 points to extend a 23-point advantage. Carthage pulled within 15 on one occasion, but the Bluejays held the Lady Reds at arms length throughout the remainder of the game and took the victory.

Four Bluejays posted double-digit points, including Eppard who finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Jones tallied with 16 points (4-of-5 three-pointers), while Kalia Summerlin added 12 and Hannah Henderson scored 11 on 4-of-4 from the floor.

Madie Kaebler poured in a game-high 23 for Carthage, but Elmhurst held the Lady Reds to just 38 percent from the floor and 27 percent from beyond the arc.

The Bluejays can clinch a spot in the CCIW Tournament with a win at North Central this Saturday, February 11. Tip-off in Naperville is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.