Marion, IN - The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team came up short in their upset bid of #7 ranked Indiana Wesleyan, losing by a score of 52-65. Alana Nelson scored a game-high 26 points to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds in 39 minutes of action.
 
Spring Arbor started the game off well, and after an Emma Smieska layup at the 1:57 mark, they led by eight. A foul with one second remaining gave Indiana Wesleyan free throws, and after they sank both, Spring Arbor led by a score of 16-10. Following a Wildcat lay-up to cut the lead to four early in the second quarter, the Cougars offense erupted with an 8-0 run to push their lead to 12 with 4:49 remaining in the half. The cougars were unable to keep their foot on the gas, however, as the Wildcats countered with a 13-4 run of their own to cut into the Cougar lead and make it a 28-26 game headed into halftime.
 
In the third quarter, the Cougar offense stifled. The Cougars only scored nine points in the quarter, shooting 3/13 from the field in the quarter. Their two point halftime lead had been flipped to a 10 point deficit headed to the fourth. The teams traded buckets for much of the quarter, and the Cougars were unable to cut into the Wildcat's lead, who kept their advantage to at least ten points throughout the quarter. The Cougars ultimately could not overcome the talented Wildcat squad, losing 52-65.
 
The Basics:
Spring Arbor 52, Indiana Wesleyan 65
Location: Marion, IN
Records: Spring Arbor 16-8 (6-8 CL), Indiana Wesleyan 21-3 (13-1 CL)
 
Game Stats:
- Alana Nelson's 26 points and 14 rebounds marks her 11th double-double of the season. Her nine free throw makes is her second most in a game this season.
- Other contributors were Alize Tripp, who scored nine points, and Alex Long, who scored 5 points.
- The Cougars outrebounded the Wildcats as a team, with an advantage of 40-28.
- The Cougars coughed up the ball 19 times last night, well above their season average.
- The loss puts the Cougars at 6-8 in conference play, and bumped them from fifth place down to sixth place with four conference games to go.
- The Wildcats were led by Lilli Frasure who has 22 points.
 
Next Up: Spring Arbor will host the University of St. Francis this Saturday at 1pm.