BOXSCORE
Kenosha, Wis. - The Thunder women's basketball team picked up a key CCIW victory, 68-50 at Carthage College (14-6/5-4) on Thursday night. Wheaton is now 14-5 on the season, with a 7-2 conference record. The Thunder now holds sole possession of second place in the CCIW at 7-2, one-half game ahead of Millikin's 6-2 conference record, with the "Orange and Blue" just one game behind league leader Illinois Wesleyan. Tonight's win gives Wheaton the season-sweep in the season series with the Lady Reds.
Sophomore
Brooke Olson led the Thunder with 21 points and five assists. Olson shot 7-for-10 from the field, including 5-for-7 from three-point range.
Laura Karsten contributed 17 points, with nine rebounds and six assists.
Lindsey Brenneman scored eight points, with four rebounds. Senior
Kelly Brooks scored eight points off the Thunder bench with five rebounds. Freshman
Maris Hovee added six rebounds.
Acting head coach
Kent Madsen noted of his team's performance, "I thought we played some of the best team defense of the year. We were really good at working together defensively." He added, "Offensively we had good movement and it created some opportunities for us. Brooke [Olson] had a phenomenal game and
Laura Karsten chipped in with a consistent effort, like she does every night."
Diana Jacklin and
Stephanie Kuzmanic each scored 10 points to lead Carthage. Jacklin and
Heather Gilmore each collected six rebounds. Gilmore added nine points for the hosts.
Wheaton shot 48.3% (14-29) from the field in the first half, including an impressive 43.8% (7-16) from three-point range. The strong shooting helped pace Wheaton to a 36-29 lead at halftime. The Thunder recorded a 42.1% (24-57) field goal percentage for the game with 38.5% (10-26) from behind the three-point arc and 90.9% (10-11) at the free throw line. Wheaton held a 38-34 rebounding advantage, with the Lady Reds holding a 12-11 edge on the offensive glass. a
Carthage scored the first five points of the game, then Wheaton responded with a 14-4 run to take a 14-9 lead in the game with 14:20 left in the first half. The Thunder never trailed for the remainder of the game. Wheaton held a 36-29 lead at the halftime intermission.
Wheaton opened the second half with a 20-6 scoring spurt to build its lead to 56-35. The guests' largest lead of the game was a 24-point bulge at 66-42 with 6:20 remaining in regulation.
