Naperville, Ill.(1/27) – The Thunder men's basketball team had its four-game win streak snapped on Saturday night in a 79-68 loss at North Central. Wheaton, ranked 21st in the most recent D3Hoops.com Top 25 poll, is now 12-6 on the season and 4-3 in the CCIW. North Central improves to 11-7 overall and 3-4 in league play.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 22-9 lead with 13:10 remaining in the first half. The hosts' led 27-14 with 9:30 left before halftime when the Thunder put together a 14-3 run to cut the Cardinals' lead to 31-28 with 2:40 left in the first half. North Central held a 37-31 lead at halftime. North Central out-scored Wheaton 11-2 over the first 5:30 of the second half to increase its lead to 50-33 with 14:30 remaining in the game. North Central led 55-38 with 12:05 left in regulation when Wheaton surged with a 16-4 scoring run to cut the hosts' lead to 59-54. North Central quickly responded by scoring 15 of the next 18 points to build its lead to 74-57 with 2:57 left in regulation and earn the 79-68 victory.

Senior Johnnie Standard led the Thunder with 14 points and junior guard John Mohan came off the Wheaton bench to add 13 points, including three three-pointers, and three assists. Junior Kent Raymond scored 12 points. Phill Denham and Michael Fiddler each scored nine points and Andy Wiele added seven points, with seven rebounds.

Dan Walton led the Cardinals with 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Brandon Smith scored 23 points, including five three-pointers, and three assists. Adam Krumtinger scored 10 points with 10 rebounds.

Wheaton shot 49% (25-51) from the field, with 41.2% (7-17) from three-point range and 73.3% (11-15) from the free throw line. The Cardinals shot 61.1% (33-54) from the field, including 46.2% (6-13) from three-point range and 70% (7-10) at the free throw line. North Central out-rebounded Wheaton 29-19, with an 8-6 edge on the offensive glass.