BOXSCORE

Claremont, Calif. – The Thunder women's basketball team closed out its two-game trip to California on Saturday, with a 69-41 win at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Today's win was the third in a row for the Thunder, to improve the program's record to 8-3 overall. Wheaton will open conference play on Tuesday in a 5:30 PM tipoff at Elmhurst College. Tuesday's game will be broadcast on WETN radio at 88.1 FM in the Wheaton area and on the internet at www.wetn.org.

The Athenas and Thunder were tied 10-10 with 12:45 left in the first half when Wheaton put together a 13-4 run to take a 23-14 lead with 6:20 left in the opening half. Wheaton led 35-19 at halftime and maintained its lead throughout the second half to secure the victory.

Sophomore Sarah Jones scored 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field, including three field goals from three-point range. Senior guard Katie Heddell (PICTURED) scored 12 points, with four rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Kathleen Fidelia scored 11 points, with five assists and five rebounds. Forward Jamie Jones contributed eight points with four rebounds.

Sarah Beattie led Claremont-Mudd-Scripps with 10 points. Jennifer Osgood and Mica Nereu each scored seven points. Casey Reck led the Athenas with a game-high eight rebounds.

Wheaton shot 55.1% (27-49) from the floor, with a season-high 58.3% (7-12) from three-point range and a season-best 100% (8-8) at the free throw line. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps shot a 31.8% (14-44) field goal percentage, with 18.2% (2-11) from behind the three-point arc and 68.8% (11-16) at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the Athenas 31-25; however, CMS had an 11-8 edge on the offensive glass. The Thunder out-scored CMS 33-12 in points off of turnovers.