BLOOMINGTON - In her professional career, Claire Sheehan will be asking people to open their mouths.

At Illinois Wesleyan, Sheehan has preferred action to words.

Nevertheless, Sheehan's accomplishments as a student and athlete at IWU have provided plenty to talk about.

A biology major who has been accepted to the Illinois-Chicago dental school, Sheehan is simultaneously completing a stellar career and helping lead the No. 1-ranked Titans to a thus-far undefeated season.

"Claire is very competitive but very quiet in getting it done," Wesleyan coach Mia Smith said. "When she says something everybody listens. She doesn't just rattle on. When she's got something to say, she says it."

Leading by example has Sheehan fifth on the IWU career scoring list with 1,270 points. She will likely become just the fourth Titan woman to reach the 1,300-point plateau and is the school's career leader in games played with 105.

"To be on this good of a team and to have that (career ranking) is a double positive for sure," Sheehan said. "We had high expectations, but to be undefeated still and be in a good spot to make a long (NCAA Tournament) run is just unbelievable. It's been a great year and a great four years."

Sheehan is averaging 14.0 points as the 22-0 Titans meet nonconference foe Olivet Nazarene in a 7 p.m. game today at Bourbonnais.

"The biggest improvement Claire has made is she has adapted to the game, meaning when people take away her 3-point shot she finds a way to get to the basket off the dribble drive and score or get to the free throw line," said Smith. "I don't know what more I could ask of Claire to be honest. She plays great defense, helps handle the ball, scores in transition, scores off dribble drive and shoots the three."

The 5-foot-7 Sheehan is third in career 3-pointers (162), fourth in free throw percentage (.795), eighth in free throws made (252) and 10th in assists (230).

Sheehan will start her 90th straight game today and has teamed with classmate Mallory Heydorn as starting guards since midway through Sheehan's freshman season.

"It's awesome we've played four years together with all the experience we've gained," Sheehan said. "I know what she's going to do and she knows what I'm going to do. I think that's really beneficial."

A volunteer at Bro-Menn Regional Medical Center and a mentor for an elementary school class, Sheehan enjoyed her experience working in a dental office.

"It's definitely been in the back of my mind. Being here, I got to shadow different dentists in the area," said the product of St. Charles East High School. "I've gotten a lot of experience and realized that was what I wanted to do."

Through her studies and the demands of basketball, Sheehan has maintained a 3.72 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

"I was always busy in high school. I like being busy," she said. "It's been a challenge, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Neither would her coach.

"Claire is just an all-around solid young lady," Smith said. "Whatever she does following graduation, she is going to be as successful in life as she is on the basketball court."

---

IWU women vs. Olivet Nazarene

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: McHie Arena, Bourbonnais

Records: IWU 22-0; Olivet 15-10