CCIW women’s basketball teams show early strengths as new season begins
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women's basketball season for 2025-26 has started, with all teams having played at least one non-conference game. Teams have faced both regional and nationally ranked opponents, setting early statistical trends in scoring, defense, and rebounding.
Augustana began its campaign with a 94-47 win over Monmouth on November 8, shooting nearly 47 percent from the field and making 12 three-pointers. Audrey Erickson led with 23 points, while Paige Melton recorded a double-double. North Central has averaged more than 70 points per game across its first three contests and posted strong rebounding numbers.
Defensively, Elmhurst limited Kalamazoo to just 39 points in a recent victory. Wheaton held Lebanon Valley and Lake Forest to under 45 points in their respective games. Rebounding margins have been significant for several teams, particularly North Central and Carthage.
Individual performances have stood out early in the season. Augustana’s Audrey Erickson scored 23 points in her opener. Carroll’s Natalie Gricius is averaging nearly 20 points per game on over 55 percent shooting and above 93 percent at the free-throw line; she had a standout performance with 29 points against Wisconsin-Whitewater. Elmhurst’s Anna Kleszynski posted a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds against WashU, while teammate Kristin Bukata has averaged nearly eight assists per game along with two double-doubles.
Illinois Wesleyan entered the season ranked #10 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll and #13 by WBCA Coaches Poll. The Titans opened with a win over Trinity (Texas) before losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Champions Classic. Junior guard Ava Bardic leads Illinois Wesleyan with an average of over 15 points per game.
Carroll faced one of the most challenging opening schedules, playing third-ranked Wisconsin-Oshkosh and #24 Wisconsin-Whitewater but secured wins against St. Norbert and Beloit. Emilie Wizner contributed perimeter scoring for Carroll, hitting thirteen three-pointers so far this season.
Carthage won its opener against Concordia Wisconsin but lost narrowly to MSOE before delivering an efficient offensive performance against Edgewood with fourteen made threes and twenty-four assists. Malia Green led Carthage in scoring during that contest.
Elmhurst started strong defensively, holding Rose-Hulman to fifty-one points before limiting Kalamazoo to thirty-nine in another win. The Bluejays’ rotation includes contributions from forwards like Natalie Robinson on defense.
Millikin's early schedule included matchups against Rose-Hulman, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Trinity (Texas), and DePauw. Nikkel Johnson and Nylaia Carter have anchored Millikin’s frontcourt; Carter has excelled at free throws while Johnson averages sixteen points per game.
North Central's identity has been shaped by rebounding efforts from Biz Daly and Jocelyn Trotter as they opened their season with two wins before falling to Lawrence despite twelve made three-pointers.
North Park is seeking consistency after losses to Lawrence, Olivet, and Manchester but has seen strong play from Caroline Long who started the year perfect from the free-throw line (16-for-16).
Wheaton relied on defensive structure through five games—winning twice—and saw Kate Oliver lead offensively with more than fifteen points per game while guards Lily Caddow and Petra Trumbach generated steals.
As conference play approaches, teams continue refining their strategies based on these early results.