PALOS HEIGHTS, ILL. – A strong defensive effort and sound scoring helped lead the Indiana University Northwest women's basketball team to a 68-52 victory over Trinity Christian Wednesday night in CCAC action.

With the win the RedHawks are 17-5 overall and 12-2 in league play and just a half game behind IU South Bend for the top spot. Next on the docket for IUN is a home Saturday matinee against Holy Cross at 1 p.m. 

After a tight first quarter, IUN turned up the offense and zoned in on defense with a 10-0 run over the second period's first five minutes. The Trolls went 0-for-7 and turned the ball over twice during the RedHawks spurt. 

After TCC got within six early in the third, Michaela Schmidt scored on back-to-back buckets to make it 37-27. Schmidt, meanwhile, finished the night with a game-high 22 points to go along with six rebounds. 

Also in double figures on Wednesday was Sarah Martin, who tickled the twine for 18, while Karli Miller added 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the victory.