BOXSCORE

Kenosha, Wis. – The Thunder men's basketball team utilized a strong overall performance on Thursday night to earn a 71-54 victory at Carthage College. Wheaton is now 15-5 overall and 5-4 in the CCIW. Carthage falls to 11-9 on the year and 5-4 in league play. Tonight's game was originally scheduled for last night; however, it was postponed to this evening due to a Midwestern snowstorm on Wednesday.

Thunder head coach Bill Harris said of tonight's game, “Our effort tonight was outstanding. Our starters did everything we expected of them and the bench was very good tonight.” He concluded, “Overall, I am very pleased with how we performed against a very good team.”

Wheaton held a 22-19 lead with 6:26 left in the first half, when the Thunder put together a 13-2 run to close out the first half. Wheaton's strong offensive effort before halftime gave the guests a 35-21 lead at intermission. Wheaton continued to hold a strong lead throughout the first half, with the squad's largest lead coming in a 22-point advantage at 68-46 with 2:45 left in regulation.

All-American guard Kent Raymond (PICTURED RIGHT) led the Thunder with 26 points and four assists. Junior center Andy Wiele scored 22 points, with 14 rebounds to tally his 12th “double-double” of the year with double digits in rebounds and points. Senior Phill Denham contributed eight points, with six rebounds off of the bench. Ben Panner distributed four assists and Jeremy Berntsen dished out three assists.

Freshman Steve Djurickovic led Carthage with 18 points and three assists. Trey Bowens scored 14 points and Sean Fendley added eight points.

Wheaton dominated Carthage 41-23 in rebounding with a 13-5 edge on the offensive glass as the Thunder out-scored the Red Men 15-4 in second-chance points. Wheaton posted a 48.2% (27-56) field goal percentage, with 28% (5-18) from three-point range and 80% (12-15) at the free throw line. Carthage shot 37.3% (19-51) from the field, with 30% (6-20) from behind the three-point arc and 66.7% (10-15) at the charity stripe.

Wheaton will remain on the road for its next game, a 7:30 PM tipoff at North Park on Saturday night. Saturday's game will be broadcast on WETN radio at 88.1 FM and on the internet at www.wetn.org.