The Millikin women's basketball team is headed to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Basketball Tournament's Championship game after defeating Carroll University 90-68 in semifinal action at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Illinois on March 6.

          After a tight first quarter Millikin led 21-20 at the end of the first quarter. The Big Blue lead 68-47 at halftime. Millikin outscored the Pioneers by seven in the third quarter and had a 73-55 lead at the end of the period. Millikin's largest lead of the game was 23 points early in the fourth quarter. The game featured 10 lead changes and four ties all coming in the first half.

          Millikin shot 32-69 from the field (46 percent) and made 13-34 (38 percent) from three-point range. The Big Blue's 13 three-points set a new CCIW Tournament game record for made three-point baskets. Millikin was 13-15 from the free throw line.  Carroll shot 26-62 (42 percent) from the field while making 11-32 (34 percent) from three-point range. Millikin won the rebounding battle 44-32.

          Freshman Elyce Knudsen led Millikin with 24 points scoring 20 points in the first half. Jordan Hildebrand scored 20 points and had eight rebounds and three steals. Abby Ratsch had 12 points and a team high nine rebounds. Aubrey Staton added nine points. Miranda Fox had eight points, seven assists, and five rebounds.

          Carroll's top scorer was Brooke Foster with 13 points. Theresa Wichser scored 12 points making four three-pointers and setting a new Pioneer record for career threes.

          Millikin will face Illinois Wesleyan on Tuesday, March 9 at the Griswold Center. The Titans (6-3) was a 53-42 winner over North Park in today's other semifinal matchup. The win sends Millikin to the CCIW Tournament final for the first time since 2009 when they lost to Illinois Wesleyan. The last CCIW Tournament Championship for Millikin was in 2004-05 when they defeated the Titans 82-64 and went on to win the NCAA Division III Championships.