GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE (L-R): Lindsey Brenneman and Breanna Bohlen combined for 34 points on 12 of 15 shooting from the field.

Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton College women's basketball team continued its hot shooting and forced plenty of turnovers defensively in a 66-51 victory over Carthage College on Wednesday.

The Thunder run its record to 10-6 overall and 3-2 in the CCIW. The Lady Reds fall to 12-4 overall, 3-2 in conference.

Carthage got off to the fast start as the visitors came out firing from three-point range. Dani Ripkey hit a trifecta of shots from beyond the arc in the opening minutes to give the Lady Reds a 15-8 lead.

But Wheaton's aggressive defense helped bring them back, with active hands in the passing lanes forcing a plethora of turnovers. The Thunder defenders collapsed on post-entry passes and poked the ball away to neutralize the impact of Carthage's center Diana Jacklin. Wheaton then got the ball in transition and finished its opportunities.

After tying the score up at 20-20, the hosts went on a run over the course of five minutes. Laura Karsten's wide-open trey gave the Thunder a 34-25 lead with five minutes left in the half.

Wheaton would go into halftime up 40-27. Both teams were scorching from the arc, with the Thunder hitting 4 of 5 while the Lady Reds went 5 of 10. Lindsey Brenneman and Breanna Bohlen were the catalysts, combining to shoot 8 of 8 from the field for 23 points.

The Lady Reds were more physical in the second half and stymied the flow by challenging every foray into the lane, leading to 10 blocks over the course of the evening. Wheaton, however, kept its lead in double digits for almost the entirety of the half. Bohlen took advantage of a defensive miscommunication to drive for a wide-open lay up to make the score 50-34, and then hit a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 53-40. Carthage could not find its answer on offense, clinching the win for the Thunder.

Wheaton's defense won the turnover battle 26-20, and also led the rebounding 25-24. The offense kept up its surge, hitting 45 percent from the field (23 of 51), 57 percent from three-point range (8 of 14) and 75 percent from the free throw line (12 of 16). Over the past three games, the Thunder have shot 34 of 66 (51 percent) from beyond the arc.

Brenneman was the lead scorer with 19 points on 7 of 9 from the field. Bohlen was a spark off the bench, netting 15 points in 15 minutes on 5 of 6 shooting. Maris Hovee (PICTURED RIGHT) made her impact in the post with 11 points and five rebounds.

The Lady Reds shot 45 percent from the field (18 of 40), 47 percent from distance (8 of 17) and 70 percent from the charity stripe (7 of 10). Diana Jacklin tallied nine points, seven rebounds and six blocks. Haley Sercic and Ripkey added nine points each.

The Thunder will travel to North Park University for a 2 PM game on Saturday.