Menomonie, Wisc. (3/3)– The Wheaton College women's basketball team fell to Simpson College by a score of 81-58. The No. 23-ranked Thunder finished their season with a record of 20-8. Simpson (23-6) advanced to the Sweet 16, where they will play New York University next Friday at a site and time to be determined.

Wheaton head coach Beth Baker noted, "We lost to a very good basketball team. Despite that I am very proud of this team. Four straight 20-win seasons, three consecutive conference championships, and three trips to the NCAA Tournament in the last four years; we have a lot to be proud of."

Wheaton held a 32-28 lead with 2:15 to play in the first half. The Simpson College Storm finished the half, though, with an 8-0 run to hold a four-point lead at the intermission.

Simpson pressed the Thunder for most of the first half and were able to force 10 turnovers. Wheaton's defense also forced 12 and they scored 14 points off turnover, while giving up 12 points on their own turnovers.

In the second half, Simpson pulled away early, as they continued to dog Wheaton with their full court press. The Storm used a 37-18 run to begin the second half to build a 23-point lead with 6:45 remaining in the game. Simpson maintained its lead and claimed the 81-58 victory.

Wheaton was led in scoring by sophomore Kathleen Fidelia with 15 points, including 7-for-8 shooting from the free throw line. Wheaton senior Elizabeth Fox scored 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field. Senior Brittany Cooper scored eight points, five rebounds and four assists. Junior Jill Trenz scored seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Simpson was led in scoring by Katelyn Whiton with 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the floor. Whiton also grabbed 8 rebounds. Carrie Larson added 16 points. Tessa Van Oosbree and Whitney Franker each scored 11 points, and Carlie Beals added 10 points to round out Simpsons five scorers in double digits.

Simpson shot 29-for-54 (53.7%) from the floor, plus 6-for-11 from three-point range. They also made 17 of their 21 free throw attempts (81%). Wheaton shot a comparably dismal 23-for-68 (33.8%) from the field and were a disappointing 3-for-21 from three-point range. Wheaton was 9-for-16 (56.3%) from the free throw line.

Wheaton was outrebounded 39-34, including a 31-20 deficit on the defensive glass. The Thunder committed 18 turnovers, and Simpson capitalized on them for 29 points. Conversely, Wheaton could only muster 16 points off of Simpson's 17 turnovers.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, Wheaton has seen a string of unprecedented success.

Wheaton finishes its fourth consecutive 20-win season and ninth overall. Seniors Fox, Cooper and Emily Carwell finished their career with a record of 88-24, including a 3-3 record in their three NCAA Tournament appearances. Cooper (1049 points) and Fox (1046 points) finish their Wheaton career's 12th and 13th, respectively on Wheaton's all-time scoring list. Trenz is now ninth with 1109 points.

Baker added, “I am really proud of these seniors and what they have done, including winning three straight CCIW Championships, which the program had not accomplished before.”