DECATUR, Ill. – The second time around was much easier for the Millikin University Women’s Basketball team.
After squeaking out a two-point victory over No. 11-ranked Illinois Wesleyan, 93-91, on Jan. 17, the Big Blue were able to complete a regular season sweep of the Titans on Wednesday with a 94-77 victory in the Griswold Center.
“I thought our team did an excellent job adjusting to what we saw in the last game. We exuded our game plan, especially on the defensive side, and I think that showed,” Head Coach Olivia Lett said. “(Wesleyan) had a big second quarter, and we withstood that storm, and we were able to come back in the third quarter and give them everything we had.”
The stands were packed with Millikin fans wearing the school colors as they hoped to see Big Blue standout point guard Elyce Knudsen reach a significant career milestone. With a second-half layup, Knudsen, who won the Jostens Trophy as the best women’s basketball player in NCAA Division III, surpassed 2,000 career points.
“This accomplishment is everything. It’s nice to look back now on the years and how I've gotten these points and the girls I’ve gotten to do it with,” Knudsen said. “That’s what I said in the huddle, I said, ‘It’s for all of you guys, and it’s not just me.’ They motivate me, they get me the right passes, so it is all kudos to them.”
With family in the stands and people lined up to congratulate her accomplishment after the final whistle, Knudsen thought about all the games and teammates that led her to this point.
“My dad texted me before the game and said don't worry about it, just go out and play your game. I love to do it in front of our crowd and especially being able to do it against Illinois Wesleyan on our home court,” Knudsen said. “One of the reasons I chose to come to Millikin was that my family could make it to every home game, and to have them come and enjoy the game that I love is everything to me.”
Knudsen finished with a game-high 29 points, which included 20 points in the second half, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Sophie Darden had 15 points and nine rebounds. Bailey Coffman had 13 points with eight boards. Matayia Tellis added 11 for the Big Blue.
“Elyce is a special player, and I think you saw that in the second half,” Lett said. “She just took over the game in a million different ways. She got blocks, she got assists and she made baskets.”
Knudsen now has 2,008 points and needs 10 points to become Millikin's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Lindsay Ippel Douglass’ 2,017 points.
Millikin, currently ranked No. 16 in DIII, improved to 16-3, 8-2 CCIW on the season. Millikin will host Carroll University (14-4. 7-2 CCIW) on Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m. The Big Blue are looking to avenge an overtime loss to the Pioneers, 101-98 back on Dec. 9.
“Carroll is a tough opponent, and they are comparable to Illinois Wesleyan,” Knudsen said. “They play a pretty fast pace and are pretty big. We just have to be ready to go, be firing on all cylinders, and make sure our preparation is great.”
