Box score

Ripon, Wis. - The calendar may have changed, but one thing has not  for Wheaton College women's basketball - Kathleen Fidelia keeps filling up the stat sheet.

The senior guard tallied a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Thunder to a season-opening 63-47 win over Ripon College on Saturday.

The Red Hawks hung with the Thunder early as the visitors held a slim 16-14 lead with 3:44 left in the first half. But a block by Jamie Jones ignited a 10-1 run to close the half and give Wheaton a 26-15 lead.

Wheaton was in control in the second half and the closest Ripon got was 49-43 with 5:38 left in the game. The Thunder steadily pulled away by double digits in the final minutes and secured the victory.

Defense was the name of the game on Saturday as Wheaton forced 34 turnovers and limited Ripon to 29 percent shooting from the field.

The Red Hawks held a 54-38 rebounding edge, but the Thunder used solid guard play to negate the statistic.

Fidelia had the biggest statistical night with her team-highs in points and rebounds. Guard Lynnea Kvam returned to the court after missing most of last season with an injury and used her long-range shooting to net 17 points. Jones added 11 points and eight rebounds from the forward position.

Erin Lind led Ripon with 12 points off the bench.

The Thunder make their home debut at the Lee Pfund Classic with a 3:00 PM game on Nov. 21 versus Blackburn College.