NAPERVILLE — A competitive early stretch around the league has begun to clarify the landscape as College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s basketball marches deeper into December. 
 
Several programs have already positioned themselves for meaningful momentum, pairing noteworthy non-conference performances with strong opening statements in league play. Ranked opponents, holiday tournaments and a slate of tight finishes have shaped the season’s first month.
 
Illinois Wesleyan, Carroll Rise in D3hoops.com and WBCA Polls
Illinois Wesleyan and Carroll both gained ground in the new D3hoops.com poll released Monday. The Titans surged ahead four places to No. 13, while Carroll climbed eight spots to No. 16 in the new national rankings.
 
Additionally, IWU was up five spots to 20th in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll unveiled Tuesday, while Carroll made its first appearance in the coaches’ poll at 25th.
 
Carroll’s Gricius Collects League and National Honors
Natalie Gricius, a senior at Carroll, is the CCIW Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week following a pair of performances that guided the No. 24 Pioneers to victories over Chicago and Ripon last week. She was also named to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week on Monday.
 
The Oconomowoc, Wis. native combined for 61 points, 15 rebounds and three steals -- averages of 30.5 points and 7.5 rebounds -- while shooting 23-of-29 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point distance.
 
She opened the week with 22 points in a 73-52 win over Chicago on Nov. 25, converting 8-of-11 attempts and adding five rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes. Gricius then delivered a career-best 39 points in an 86-74 win over Ripon last Sunday, going 15-for-18 from the floor and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc while securing 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
 
High-Powered Pioneers Keep Rolling
Carroll has opened the season at 6-2 overall and 1-0 in CCIW play, rolling through December on a four-game winning streak. The Pioneers have been unbeaten over the previous two weeks, collecting victories over Wartburg, Chicago and Ripon before a convincing 76-52 road win at Wheaton in Wednesday’s league opener.
 
Carroll leads the conference in both field goal percentage (.470) and assists per game (18.2). Their efficiency contributes to the CCIW’s second-best scoring margin (+12.9). CU also owns the conference’s third-ranked scoring defense at 58.4 points allowed per game.
 
Reigning CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week and D3hoops.com Team of the Week honoree Natalie Gricius continues to be one of the league’s most dominant scorers, averaging a CCIW-best 22.5 points per contest while shooting 63 percent from the field. She had 39 points and 10 rebounds against Ripon on Nov. 30. Julia Lokker (4-for-4 from three versus Chicago) and Emilie Wizner (25 points versus Ripon) have also provided key offensive lifts.
 
Titans Thrive Behind Pressure and Second Chances
Illinois Wesleyan continues its strong early-season form with a 5-2 overall record and a 1-0 league start. The Titans have won four of their last five, highlighted by back-to-back wins over ranked opponents – No. 16 Wisconsin-La Crosse and No. 15 WashU – to claim the Midwest Challenge, followed by a 74-70 win at Augustana in the conference opener on Wednesday.
 
The Titans lead the CCIW in steals (14.0 per game), offensive rebounds (14.7) and rank third in turnover margin (+5.14). Those elements contribute to a +7.14 scoring margin. IWU also sits second in the CCIW in free throw percentage (.745).
 
Sawyer White has been a disruptive defensively, leading the CCIW with 3.29 steals per game and earning Midwest Challenge MVP honors after a 22-point performance against WashU. Freshman Caitlin Leyden tops the league in offensive rebounds (4.7 per game) and secured a career-high seven steals in the CCIW opener versus Augustana. Ava Bardic delivered 22-point showings against UW-La Crosse on Nov. 29 and Augustana on Wednesday.
 
Efficiency Drives Cardinals to Strong Start
North Central sits at 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the CCIW after earning wins in three of four recent outings. Victories over Edgewood and Concordia Wisconsin accompanied a 70-66 win in their league opener against Carthage on Wednesday in Naperville.
 
The Cardinals lead the CCIW in three-point percentage (.348), free throw percentage (.761) and assist/turnover Ratio (1.15). Those marks have helped them post the second-highest scoring average in the league at 72.1 points per game.
 
Jocelyn Trotter has been strong on the glass, pacing the conference with 9.5 rebounds per game while recording four double-doubles, including 12 points, 12 rebounds and eight steals against Edgewood on Nov. 22. Biz Daly leads the CCIW in blocked shots (2.00 BPG) and matched a career-high with 26 points against Edgewood.
 
Balanced Blueprint Fuels Augie’s Early Surge
Augustana opened the season with consistent play and stands at 3-2 overall while beginning league action at 0-1 following a narrow setback versus 13th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan. The Vikings split their last four contests, highlighted by a dominant 77-38 victory over Webster last Saturday and a solid showing in a 66-45 win over Greenville on Nov. 22.
 
The Vikings currently sit atop the CCIW in scoring offense (73.0 PPG), scoring defense (54.2 PPG), and scoring margin (+18.8), pairing strong efficiency (.456 FG%) with a league-leading rebounding margin (+6.8). Their 17.2 assists per game also rank second in the league.
 
Audrey Erickson has been a steady catalyst, ranking third in the league at 4.2 assists per game, including 10 helpers in the win over Webster. Paige Melton continues to provide two-way consistency (11.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG), while Tia Lewis impacts the defensive end with 1.2 blocks and 2.0 steals per game. Cali Papez delivered an efficient performance in the CCIW opener, finishing 4-for-4 from the field.
 
Firebirds Lean on Defense and the Long Ball
Carthage is 4-4 overall and 0-1 in the CCIW after a demanding non-conference slate that included a 60-51 win over No. 25 Coe on Nov. 25.
 
Carthage continues to excel from the perimeter, leading the CCIW with 57 made three-pointers (7.13 per game). The Firebirds also pace the league in blocked shots (4.88 per game) while ranking third in field goal percentage (.419).
 
Alyssa Orozco (14.1 PPG) and Malia Green (13.0 PPG) anchor the scoring attack. Green delivered 24 points against Franciscan on Nov. 22, while Orozco posted a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double against Wisconsin-River Falls last Saturday. Nora Ahram leads the entire conference in assist/turnover ratio (3.38), and Mallory Winters added an efficient 15-point effort off the bench (7-for-9 FG) in the league opener at North Central on Wednesday.
 
Thunder Look to Regain Offensive Rhythm
Wheaton owns a 3-5 overall record and an 0-1 in CCIW action after a challenging early slate. The Thunder picked up a 54-43 win over Dubuque on Nov. 25 before falling in their league opener versus 16th-ranked Carroll on Wednesday, 76-52.
 
Defensively, the team has shown strengths, ranking fourth in blocked shots (3.25 BPG) and producing 9.5 steals per game.
 
Kate Oliver continues to lead the offense with 14.1 points per contest. Freshman Paige Ferwerda has made an early impact with 1.25 blocks per game, including four against Dubuque – a season best for any Thunder player. Ferwerda also had career high with 13 points in the CCIW opener on Wednesday, matching Lauryn Ham for the team lead.
 
Turnover Pressure Continues to Shape Bluejays’ Identity
Elmhurst’s record is 3-2 overall and 1-0 in CCIW competition after a 64-60 comeback win over Millikin to open the league schedule on Wednesday.
 
Elmhurst owns the CCIW’s top turnover margin (+9.0) and forces nearly 20 opponent turnovers per game while committing the fewest (10.8). The Bluejays also hold opponents to a league-low .215 from beyond the arc.
 
The offense is quarterbacked by Kristin Bukata, who leads the conference with 7.4 assists per game. Anna Kleszynski ranks among the league’s top rebounders (8.2 RPG) and posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double with five steals versus Manchester on Nov. 25. Natalie Harty sparked the win over Millikin with 20 points, including five made threes.
 
Big Blue Seeking Momentum as Schedule Tightens
Millikin enters the upcoming stretch in December at 2-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Big Blue have dropped three straight, including Wednesday’s 64-60 loss at Elmhurst.
 
The Big Blue ranks second in the CCIW in rebounding (37.8 RPG).
 
Nikkel Johnson remains a consistent offensive centerpiece, averaging 17.8 points per game – second-most in the CCIW. Johnson posted one of the league’s top individual performances this week with 25 points (12-for-19 FG) and 14 rebounds at Elmhurst. Nylaia Carter continues to contribute at the line with a CCIW-best .880 free throw percentage.
 
Defensive Foundation Paces North Park
North Park holds a 1-5 overall mark entering league play, with its strongest showing coming in a 69-45 victory over Illinois Tech on Nov. 20. The Vikings dropped close contests to Dominican (58-57 on Nov. 22) and Lake Forest (62-55 on Wednesday).
 
North Park ranks second in the conference in scoring defense (57.1 PPG). Offensively, NPU’s .712 free throw percentage ranks fifth in the CCIW.
 
Caroline Long remains one of the league’s top rebounders (8.3 RPG) and recorded a double-double in the win over Illinois Tech. Kathryn Keehn has been strong at the line, going 11-for-12 at Dominican, while Aliyah Hershberger posted a team-best 18 points Wednesday against Lake Forest.