NAPERVILLE — As the calendar turns toward February, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCOW) women’s basketball race continues to be shaped by head-to-head results among contenders and steady production across the middle of the standings. 
 
Pioneers Make a Stand at Van Male
Carroll delivered one of the week’s most impactful results last Saturday, defeating No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan 68-48 in a matchup of conference leaders at Van Male Fieldhouse. The Pioneers controlled the game from the opening minutes, building a lead that reached 20 points. Carroll limited Illinois Wesleyan to 29 percent shooting while forcing 16 turnovers, while converting at a 48 percent clip from the field and 41 percent from three-point range. 
 
Emilie Wizner led all scorers with 25 points, including five three-pointers, while Natalie Gricius added 15 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting performance. The win moved Carroll into a tie for first place in the conference standings.
 
Saturday Statements and Cardinal Virtues
North Central strengthened its position in the top four with a 71-61 win at Elmhurst last Wednesday, sealing the outcome at the free-throw line with 13 makes in the fourth quarter. Jocelyn Trotter recorded a season-high 22 points and seven rebounds, while Kennedy Hartwig added 11 points. 
 
Carthage followed with a 76-60 home win over Augustana, highlighted by an early shooting surge that included four made three-pointers in the opening minutes. Nora Ahram led the Firebirds with 22 points. 
 
Wheaton rounded out the day with a 55-39 win over North Park, using a 14-0 third-quarter run to pull away. Jenna Hunter scored 19 points and Kate Oliver added 18, combining for 67 percent of the Thunder’s offense.
 
Wizner-ing Through the Rankings
Emilie Wizner was named CCIW Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week after leading Carroll to a 2-0 week. Wizner averaged 22 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game, highlighted by a 25-point performance against Illinois Wesleyan in which she scored 19 points in the second half. She also recorded 19 points and five assists in a Jan. 21 win over North Park. 
 
Wizner leads the conference in three-point percentage at 39.5 percent, ranking 33rd nationally, while Carroll currently leads the CCIW in team field goal percentage at 45.8 percent.
 
Wednesday Night Wonders and Dimes in the Bucket
Carroll extended its run on Wednesday with a 74-63 home win over North Central, opening the game with a 21-10 first quarter and shooting 60 percent in the fourth. Natalie Gricius finished with a game-high 29 points and eight rebounds. 
 
Illinois Wesleyan rebounded the same night with an 86-54 win over Millikin, opening on a 17-0 run and holding the Big Blue to 15 first-half points. Sara Balli and Ava Bardic each scored 17 points. 
 
Elmhurst responded to its previous loss with an 82-52 win over Wheaton, led by Natalie Harty’s 21 points and a near triple-double from Kristin Bukata (19 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists). 
 
Augustana closed the night with a 72-40 win over North Park, led by 15 points and eight rebounds from Tia Lewis.
 
Statistical Supremacy: National Numbers and Local Legends
Several CCIW players continue to rank among Division III leaders. Natalie Gricius averages 21.5 points per game, ninth nationally, while teammate Katie Barger leads the conference in field goal percentage at 75 percent. 
 
Illinois Wesleyan’s Sawyer White leads the CCIW in steals per game (3.53), ranking 20th nationally. Elmhurst’s Anna Kleszynski tops the league in rebounding at 9.1 per game. 
 
As teams, Carroll ranks fifth nationally in field goal percentage, Illinois Wesleyan ranks ninth in free-throw percentage (75.9%) and Augustana leads the conference in field goal percentage defense at 36.3 percent.
 
Looking Ahead: The Race to Tournament
Carroll and Illinois Wesleyan enter February tied atop the standings at 9-1, with North Central and Elmhurst close behind at 6-4. Upcoming matchups include North Central hosting Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, while Carroll welcomes Wheaton. 
 
With the CCIW Championship set to begin Feb. 24 and the NCAA Power Index playing a central role in postseason selection, each remaining regular-season contest carries increased importance. Carroll currently ranks 14th in the NPI, with Illinois Wesleyan at 24th.