BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Elmhurst women's basketball team was done in by a poor first-half in an 87-61 road loss at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Elmhurst (7-7, 3-2 CCIW) scored the game's first five points, but Illinois Wesleyan (12-2, 5-0 CCIW) took control of the contest late in the first quarter. With the score even at 10-10 with four minutes remaining, the Titans closed the quarter on a 13-3 run to carry a 10-point lead into the second quarter.
 
The momentum continued for the Titans in the second as IWU capitalized on Elmhurst mistakes, scoring 13 points on turnovers while outscoring Elmhurst 25-5 in the quarter to build a 30-point (48-18) lead at the half.
 
The Titans led by as many as 37 points in the second half and Elmhurst came no closer than a 25-point deficit as Illinois Wesleyan cruised to the 26-point victory.
 
Elmhurst shot 36.8 percent (21-of-57) from the floor in the loss, including just 20.0 percent (2-of-10) in the second quarter. The Bluejays held a slim 35-31 lead on the glass, but Illinois Wesleyan outscored Elmhurst 40-24 in the paint while also scoring 26 points off of 20 Elmhurst turnovers.

Mikaela Eppard paced Elmhurst in the loss with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Jasmin Bailey added 14 points for Elmhurst while Marissa Urso came off the bench to score 10 for Elmhurst.
 
Thte Titans shot 55.7 percent (34-of-61) from the field, including 45.5. percent (5-of-11) from three-point range. Raven Hughes came off the bench to lead the Titans with 15 points while Rebekah Ehresman and Ashley Schneider totaled 11 points apiece.
 
Elmhurst hosts North Park University next Wednesday, Janaury 10.