BOXSCORE

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton men's basketball team, ranked sixth this week by D3hoops.com, remained undefeated on Wednesday night with a 72-54 victory against the University of Chicago. Wheaton will travel to Holland, Michigan this weekend for its next two games as the Thunder participates in the CCIW/MIAA Classic. Wheaton will face host Hope College on Friday night at 8 PM (EST) and the Thunder will take on Calvin College on Saturday at 1 PM (EST). Both games will be broadcast on WETN radio at 88.1 FM in the Wheaton area and on the internet at www.wetn.org.  

Wheaton held a three-point advantage at 15-12 with 5:33 remaining in the game when the Thunder put together an impressive 19-1 run over the final 5:33 of the first half to give the hosts a 34-13 lead at halftime. Senior Ben Panner scored eight of Wheaton's 19 points in the key scoring surge.

The Thunder scored the first six points of the second half to lead by as many as 26 points with a 39-13 lead with 18:37 left in regulation. Chicago countered with a 15-0 run to cut Wheaton's lead to 39-28 with 15:00 remaining in regulation. The Maroons continued to battle getting as close as an eight-point deficit at 57-49 with 6:53 remaining in the game. However, the guests could get no closer and Wheaton emerged with its fourth consecutive victory.

Sophomore Tim McCrary led the Thunder with a “double-double” as he scored 19 points, with 15 rebounds and six assists. Panner scored 15 points and Jake Carwell added 13 points, with five rebounds. Sophomore forward Spencer Schultze scored 11 points, on 5-for-6 shooting from the field.

Steve Stefanou led Chicago with 12 points and 10 rebounds. John Kinsella, Tom Williams and Jake Pancratz each scored eight points for the guests.

Wheaton posted a 47.1% (24-51) field goal percentage, with 37.5% (3-8) from three-point range and 80.8% (21-26) at the free throw line. University of Chicago shot 42.2% (19-45) from the floor, with 37.5% (6-16) from behind the three-point arc and 55.6% (10-18) at the free throw line. The Thunder out-rebounded the guests 32-28 and each team collected nine offensive boards. University of Chicago committed 20 turnovers and Wheaton had 12, as the Thunder out-scored the Maroons 25-13 off of turnovers.