Opening Tip – A Balanced Launch Across the Conference
The 2025-26 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s basketball season has arrived. Every team has played at least one non-conference game -- some against nationally ranked opponent -- and many have established early statistical profiles. Scoring averages are up, defensive numbers are solid and rebounding margins are meaningful.
 
Early Trends – Offense, Defense and Glass Matter
Offensively, teams across the league are finding rhythm. Augustana posted 94 points in its opener on Nov. 8 versus. Monmouth (94-47). North Central has averaged over 70 points in its three games and has dominated the boards in two outings. 
 
Defensively, the league has shown strong stops. Elmhurst held Kalamazoo to 39 points in a victory on Tuesday. Wheaton held both Lebanon Valley and Lake Forest to 45 points or fewer in games on Nov. 7 and last Friday, respectively. 
 
Rebounding has been especially notable: several teams (notably North Central and Carthage) have large margins on the glass, which has translated into second-chance points and transition opportunities.
 
Individual Standouts – Establishing Early Identity
Some student-athletes have already laid out solid statistical credentials. Augustana’s Audrey Erickson netted 23 points in her first contest. Carroll’s Natalie Gricius is averaging nearly 20 points per game (19.8) and shooting over 55 percent. Elmhurst’s Anna Kleszynski and Kristin Bukata have shown varied skills: Kleszynski with scoring and rebounding (26 & 10 in one game), Bukata with assists, rebounds and scoring in multiple double-doubles. 
 
Illinois Wesleyan’s Ava Bardic began her season with solid guard play and front-court support from Sara Balli and Caitlin Leyden. Millikin’s Nylaia Carter has combined rebounding prowess with elite free-throw shooting. North Central’s Biz Daly and Jocelyn Trotter dominate inside both scoring and rebounds. 
 
North Park’s Caroline Long has already posted a double-double and consistent free-throw accuracy. Wheaton’s Kate Oliver has led the scoring while teammates Pet-ra Trumbach and Lily Caddow disrupt passing lanes and rebound at the perimeter. 
 
National Picture – Tests and Recognition Early On
Illinois Wesleyan opened the year ranked #10 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll and #13 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, and followed with a win on Nov. 15 versus Trinity (Texas) and a competitive contest versus Wisconsin-Whitewater. 
 
Carroll opened its season on Nov. 8 at third-ranked Wisconsin-Oshkosh, then faced 24th-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater. Millikin also clashed with Whitewater on Nov. 15. 
 
Elmhurst challenged WashU in the McWilliams Classic final last Sunday and held a fourth-quarter lead before the Bears pulled away late.
 
A Fast Start in the Quad Cities
Augustana opened its season with a decisive 94-47 win at Monmouth on Nov. 8. The Vikings shot efficiently throughout the contest, going 31-for-66 (.470) from the field while converting 12-of-25 (.480) from three-point range, and added 20-of-26 free throws. 
 
Their defensive effort was equally strong, holding Monmouth to 47 points on 15-for-51 shooting and limiting second-chance opportunities with a strong showing on the glass. Audrey Erickson provided a steady scoring presence with 23 points, while Paige Melton delivered an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double.
 
Carroll Leans Into the Gauntlet
Carroll faced one of the tougher early schedules in the league, beginning its season on Nov. 8 at #3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh and continuing with additional tests throughout the opening stretch, including a Nov. 19 meeting at #24 Wisconsin-Whitewater. Despite the tough schedule, the Pioneers secured wins against St. Norbert on Nov. 8 (76–56) and Beloit on Nov. 12 (68–49).
 
Carroll has been guided by the production of Natalie Gricius, whose 19.8 points per game came on 55.4 percent shooting and over 93 percent accuracy at the free-throw line. Her 29-point outing at Whitewater has been one of the league’s strongest individual performances to date. Emilie Wizner has complemented the inside scoring with perimeter shooting, connecting on 13 three-pointers across the opening contests, while Katie Barger’s 4.25 assists and 2.75 steals per game give the Pioneers a capable two-way guard presence.
 
Firebirds Showing Range And Balance
Carthage began the year with a 65–46 win at Concordia Wisconsin on Nov. 8, followed by a 56–52 loss at MSOE on Nov. 12. The Firebirds ultimately delivered one of the league’s most complete efforts in an 88–48 home win over Edgewood last Saturday that included 14 made three-pointers and 24 assists.
 
The Firebirds’ efficiency has been supported by the scoring of Malia Green (21 points versus. Edgewood) and Alyssa Orozco (13.3 ppg). Defensively, Carthage has received contributions across the roster, including rebounding support from Grace Cord and strong perimeter positioning from Nora Ahram.
 
Bluejays Display Balance On Both Ends
Elmhurst opened its season with a 72-51 win over Rose-Hulman on Nov. 14, then traveled to the McWilliams Classic where it fell 83-70 to WashU on Nov. 16 after leading late into the fourth quarter. The Bluejays responded with a 59-39 win over Kalamazoo on Wednesday. The 39 points allowed remain among the lowest surrendered by any CCIW team this season. 
 
Offensively, Elmhurst is anchored by the duo of Anna Kleszynski and Kristin Bukata. Kleszynski has averaged 19.7 points, including her 26-point, 10-rebound performance against WashU. Bukata’s early work has been especially notable, producing two double-doubles and averaging 7.7 assists per game. Supporting rotations, including forward contributions from Natalie Robinson, have helped stabilize the defensive end.
 
Titans Tested Against Strong Opponents
Illinois Wesleyan started its season by defeating Trinity (Texas) 73–63 last Saturday before falling 60–51 to Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sunday, completing a competitive opening weekend at the Champions Classic. 
 
Bardic began her junior campaign with 15.5 points per game. The frontcourt rotation of Sara Balli and Caitlin Leyden has been central to the Titans’ approach, with both players notching double-double performances. Illinois Wesleyan has maintained a high free-throw percentage and performed well on the offensive glass.
 
Big Blue Gain Structure Through Early Challenges
Millikin opened the year with a 59-56 road win at Rose-Hulman on Nov. 11, followed by a 70-50 neutral-site loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater last Saturday. MU followed with a 55-53 win over Trinity (Texas) on Sunday. The Big Blue then faced DePauw on Tuesday in their home opener, adding another challenging opponent to one of the league’s tougher early schedules. 
 
Millikin has leaned on the frontcourt duo of Nikkel Johnson and Nylaia Carter, who together anchor scoring and rebounding. Carter recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds in the opener at Rose-Hulman and has been exceptional at the free-throw line, shooting .905. Johnson’s steady scoring output (16.0 ppg) has given the team reliable offensive options, while the backcourt has contributed meaningful support in playmaking and perimeter pressure.
 
Cardinals Establish Identity Through Rebounding
North Central’s 2-1 start has been shaped by its work on the boards and physical interior play. The Cardinals opened with a 76-60 win versus Saint Mary’s on Nov. 7, followed by a 66-59 road win at Concordia Chicago on Nov. 11. 
 
Their lone early loss came last Friday at Lawrence (74-69), a tightly contested game where the Cardinals connected on 12 three-pointers. 
 
Across the opening stretch, North Central posted rebounding totals of 52 and 48 in its two wins on the combined strength of Biz Daly and Jocelyn Trotter. Daly is averaging 14.0 points and 8.3 rebounds along with 1.67 blocks per game, while Trotter is adding 10.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. Dolly Smith’s 3.67 assists per game have stabilized their offense, supporting a scoring average above 70 points per contest.
 
North Park Begins To Build Consistency
North Park began its season with a 78-48 loss at Lawrence on Nov. 7, followed by a 57-52 road loss at Olivet on Nov. 12 and a 74-58 defeat against Manchester last Sunday. 
 
Caroline Long has stood out with her two-way play, including a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double against Manchester. Long’s early free-throw shooting — 16-for-16 to start the year — has been a significant positive. Kathryn Keehn and Shay Bowen have added rebounding stability and defensive activity, giving the team a reliable foundation inside.
 
Thunder Rely On Defense And Structure
Wheaton opened the season with a 59-47 win versus Lebanon Valley on Nov. 7 before falling 73-51 to John Carroll on Nov. 8. The Thunder returned home for the Beth Baker Classic, defeating Lake Forest 75-45 last Friday and falling 71-58 to Simpson the following day. Their most recent outing was a 60-47 road loss at Ripon on Monday. 
 
Across the five-game stretch, Wheaton has shown defensive consistency, holding two opponents to 45 points or fewer and generating steady steals through the guard line of Lily Caddow and Petra Trumbach. Kate Oliver has paced the offense with 15.6 points per game and has drawn frequent trips to the free-throw line, giving the Thunder a reliable late-clock scoring option. 
 
Trumbach has contributed 6.2 rebounds per game from the wing, while Paige Ferwerda has provided interior defensive support.