BOXSCORE

Rock Island, Ill. - Coming off three-straight conference losses, the Wheaton College men's basketball team faced a stiff test -- going into Rock Island to take on a physical, nationally-ranked Augustana College team.

"Our young men were just concerned that people pronounced the death notice for this team a little early," head coach Bill Harris said after Saturday's game.

The Thunder answered the challenge and got a big effort from Andy Wiele in the post to defeat the Vikings 64-55 on Saturday night.

No. 7-ranked Wheaton improved to 16-3 overall and 5-3 in the CCIW. Augustana, ranked 15th in the D3hoops.com poll, fell to 15-5 overall and 6-3 in conference. 

Prior to tonight, Wheaton's last win in Rock Island was a 69-65 victory against the Vikings on Feb. 4, 1998.

In the first meeting between the two teams this season, the Thunder won 79-71 at home on Jan. 14 as Kent Raymond scored 26 points to reach the 2,000-career point milestone during the game.

Augustana pressed all game on their home court Saturday and forced 11 first-half turnovers. But Wheaton's offense efficiently hit half its shots while playing good defense against the Vikings, who were held to 10-of-27 shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes.

Wheaton took a 30-27 lead at the break after Ben Panner got fouled as time expired and made both his free throws.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle. Raymond was called for his fourth foul with 10 minutes left in the game, forcing him to the bench.

The Vikings recaptured the lead, 51-50 with 5:40 remaining after a three-pointer by Bryant Voiles. However, the momentum swung right back to the Thunder as they went on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes.

Two free throws by Tim McCrary provided an eight-point cushion in the final minute, and Raymond iced the game by blocking the ensuing shot and collecting his own rebound.

Wiele's performance in the paint greatly impressed his coach, as Harris declared, "The beast is back", of Wiele who was sidelined earlier in the season with an injury. The 6-foot-8 senior scored 18 points and collected 17 rebounds, including 11 boards in the first half. He also shot 8-of-12 from the field.

Wheaton shot 24-of-48 (50 percent) from the field on the game and also held a 36-30 advantage on the boards. Along with Wiele's double-double, Raymond and Panner scored 14 points each. McCrary also reached double figures with 10 points.

Augustana was held to 18-of-56 shooting (32 percent) from the field. Brett Wessels scored 12 points and Jordan Delp added 11.