GREENCASTLE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology had two opportunities to tie the score in the final seconds against nationally ranked Illinois Wesleyan, before falling 60-59 to the 25th-ranked Titans in women's basketball action on Sunday at the Midwest Challenge.
Illinois Wesleyan snapped a 58-58 tie with a layup by Maddie Merritt with 7.2 seconds remaining in regulation to take a 60-58 lead. The Fightin' Engineers called a timeout and narrowly missed a layup that could have knotted the score. On the ensuing rebound, Abby Bromenschenkel was fouled with 0.5 seconds remaining to give Rose-Hulman one last chance to tie the score with an inbounds pass.
Rose-Hulman executed a pass in the paint, and Alyzia Dilworth drew a foul at the buzzer with two free throws awarded and a chance to tie the score. Dilworth hit one of two free throws, allowing Illinois Wesleyan to escape with the 60-59 win.
Ally Bromenschenkel led the Rose-Hulman offense with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Dilworth and Chiarra Franklin also had strong double-figure scoring performances to provide depth. Dilworth finished with 14 points on 6-11 from the field with five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Franklin added 14 points on 8-11 from the free throw line with two rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal.
Merritt led the Titans with 12 points, including the eventual game winning basket in the closing seconds. Molly McGraw and Raven Hughes also reached double figures with 10 points each for Illinois Wesleyan.
The contest featured 13 lead changes and four ties before the wild finish. Dilworth gave Rose-Hulman the lead at 56-54 on a three-pointer with 4:32 remaining, before Illinois Wesleyan tied the score on a layup from Hughes at the 3:16 mark. After the Titans led 58-56, Ally Bromenschenkel caused the fourth and final tie at 58-58 on a layup with 38 seconds left.
Illinois Wesleyan improved to 3-2, with losses to No. 10 Washington (Mo.) and No. 20 Wisconsin-Whitewater. Rose-Hulman stands 2-3, with losses to three nationally ranked teams in Hope, DePauw and Illinois Wesleyan. The Fightin' Engineers open their home schedule with the Dorsett Automotive Crosstown Classic against St. Mary-of-the-Woods on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
