BOXSCORE

Orange, Calif. - The Thunder women's basketball team rallied to earn a 73-66 win in come-from-behind fashion on Thursday night at Chapman University. Tonight's victory was the 400th career win in the 22-year career of Thunder head coach Beth Baker. Baker is ranked 23rd in victories among active NCAA Division III women's basketball head coaches. She has compiled a record of 400-156 in her 22 seasons at the helm of the Thunder.

Chapman jumped out to a 22-8 lead with 12:40 left in the first half. Wheaton countered with eight un-answered points to cut the Panthers' lead to 22-16 with 10:45 left in the first half. A late Chapman run to close the first half gave the hosts a 43-28 lead at halftime.

Sophomore Sarah Jones (PICTURED RIGHT) hit a three-pointer to open the second half for Wheaton. She followed with two more field goals, sparked by strong defense as she scored the first seven points of the first half. Jones' outburst sparked a 14-0 run by the Thunder to open the first half as the guests cut the Chapman lead to 43-42 with 16:30 left in regulation. Chapman still maintained a lead and held a 53-47 advantage with 10:35 left in the game. Wheaton put together a 9-0 scoring run to take a 56-53 lead with 7:20 left in the game to give the Thunder its first lead of the game.

Chapman's Lynda Ly scored a basket with 1:50 left in regulation to tie the game at 66-66. Thunder senior Katie Heddell gave Wheaton the lead for good with a field goal at 1:05 left in the game to give the guests a 68-66 advantage. Junior Kathleen Fidelia sank two free throws and Jamie Jones converted a traditional three-point play as Wheaton closed out the game by scoring the final seven points to secure the 73-66 victory.

Sarah Jones scored a career-high 21 points, including 17 second-half points, to lead the Thunder. Jones shot 10-of-14 from the field and added three rebounds, with two assists. Jamie Jones added 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, with six rebounds. Heddell added 12 points, with three assists and four rebounds. Fidelia scored 10 points, with five assists.

Nicole Hayman led Chapman with 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the floor. Point guard Lauren Kamiyama scored 11 points, with five assists and six steals.

Wheaton shot a season-high 60% (30-50) from the field, with 42.9% (3-7) from three-point range and 83.3% (10-12) at the free throw line. Chapman posted a 34.9% (22-63) field goal percentage, with 32% (8-25) from three-point range and 77.8% (14-18) at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the Panthers 36-29, however, Chapman held a 15-8 edge on the offensive glass.

Wheaton is now 7-3 on the year, while Chapman falls to 12-3 overall. Wheaton will conclude its two-game trip to California on Saturday with a 3 PM tipoff at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Saturday's game will be broadcast on WETN radio at 88.1 FM in the Wheaton area and on the internet at www.wetn.org.