By Seth Wesman
Sports Information Intern

MARION, Ind. — Lynnia Noel grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to record her fourth double-digit contest in seven games, but a slow start cost the Goshen College women's basketball team who fell to the 17th-ranked Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University 60-32 Wednesday night.. The Maple Leafs saw their losing streak reach two games as IWU was able to overcome its own slow start to pull away through the second and third quarters.

Caitlyn O'Neal scored a team-high 8 points for the Maple Leafs (12-11, 6-5 Crossroads League) as Noel, Sophia Sears, and Gabby Williams each recorded 5 points apiece. Haley Archibeque led the Maple Leafs with a pair of assists.

The defending Crossroads League champion Wildcats (16-7, 9-2) led 8-2 after the opening quarter before dropping 21 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters to take a 50-20 lead into the final stanza. IWU held Goshen without a field goal for more than 14 minutes after tip-off.

Goshen was able to outscore the Wildcats 12-10 in the final quarter as this would be GC's largest scoring output for any quarter on the night.

The Wildcats rode a .368 shooting mark from the field (21-for-57) and a .391 clip (9-for-23) from 3-point range to the victory. Goshen struggled from the floor, shooting just 10-for-54 from the floor and 3-for-13 from beyond the arc.

Chelsea Winner led the Wildcats with 13 points and hit two of her four attempts from beyond the arc. Kelsey Key led IWU in rebounds and assists with nine and five, respectively.

O'Neal recorded two of Goshen's successful attempts from 3-point range, with Noel adding the other long shot.

The Maple Leafs were able to force 16 Wildcat turnovers while turning it over a season-low 12 times themselves, but were outscored 20-10 in points in the paint, 11-2 in second chance points and 10-5 in points off turnovers.

Goshen will be back in action on Saturday on Retro Jersey Day when it hosts conference opponent Grace College at 3 p.m. in Gunden Gymnasium.