BOXSCORE

Bloomington, Ill. – The Thunder women's basketball team lost a 67-57 decision to Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday in the Championship game of the 2011 CCIW Women's Basketball Tournament. Wheaton ends the season with a 19-7 overall record. Illinois Wesleyan is 23-4 overall and earns the CCIW's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament by virtue of tonight's win.

The two teams were tied at 6-6 after the first five-and-a-half minutes of the game. Wheaton held a 14-8 lead with 10:50 remaining before halftime thanks to an increased offensive output. The Titans held a 22-20 lead with five minutes left in the first half when Illinois Wesleyan put together a 12-3 run to close out the half giving the hosts a 34-23 advantage at halftime.

The Titans led by as many as 15 points early in the second half. IWU held a 45-35 advantage with 15:00 left in regulation when field goals by Brooke Olson, Annie Bowen and Kelly Brooks keyed a 6-0 Thunder scoring run that trimmed the Titans' lead to 45-41 with 12:10 left in regulation.

The Titans held a 53-47 lead when Thunder senior Kelly Brooks scored on a fast break layup and converted a free throw for a conventional three-point play with 7:10 remaining in the game to cut the Titan lead to three points at 53-50. The Titans responded with five un-answered points to extend their lead to 58-50 with 5:30 left in the contest. The Thunder could get no closer than within six points of the Titans for the remainder of the game as the hosts earned the 67-57 win.

Brooks led the Thunder with 12 points and five rebounds. Brooke Olson scored 10 points and added four steals. Laura Karsten scored nine points with four assists. Lindsey Brenneman and Annie Bowen each scored eight points. Elisabeth Potts grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and Bowen collected six boards.

Olivia Lett led the Titans with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Hope Schulte scored 15 points, with five assists for IWU.

Wheaton shot 34.5% (20-58) from the field, with 16.7% (4-24) from three-point range and 61.9% (13-21) at the free throw line. Illinois Wesleyan recorded a 42.6% (23-54) field goal percentage, with 22.2% (4-18) behind the three-point line and 73.9% (17-23) at the free throw line. The Titans out-rebounded the Thunder 41-38, with Wheaton holding a 14-11 edge on the offensive glass.