GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Lauren Graham scored a team-high 13 points, with six rebounds

Indianola, Iowa - The Wheaton women's basketball team was handed its first loss of the 2012-13 season on Saturday night as the Thunder dropped a 74-52 decision at Simpson College.

Simpson, ranked 20th in this week's D3hoops.com Top-25, improves to 7-0. Wheaton is now 4-1 on the year as the Thunder returns home on Tuesday night for a 7 PM tipoff against Clark College (Iowa) at home in King Arena.

Simpson led for most of the first half as the Storm led 17-10 with 13:10 remaining in the opening half when the Thunder responded with eight unanswered points to take an 18-17 lead with 9:40 remaining before halftime. It was Wheaton's final lead of the game as the Storm out-scored the guests 14-9 over the final 9:30 of the half to hold a 31-27 lead at halftime.

Simpson out-scored the Thunder 12-4 over the first 4:40 of the second half to take a 12-point lead at 43-31. The Storm lead remained double digits for most of the remaining time in the second half. Simpson's 22-point advantage in the 74-52 final score was the hosts' largest lead of the game.

Sophomore Lauren Graham led the Thunder with 13 points and six rebounds. Guard Maria Panaggio (PICTURED LEFT) came off the Wheaton bench to register 11 points, with seven rebounds. Freshman Moriah Reeves scored eight points and Brooke Olson added seven points. Olson also grabbed five rebounds, with four assists and five steals. Maris Hovee scored six points, with 13 rebounds.

Wheaton shot 32.4% (22-68) from the field, with 1-for-17 from three-point range and 77.8% (7-9) at the charity stripe. Simpson recorded a 41.1% (23-56) field goal percentage, with 29.2% (7-24) from behind the three-point arc and 84% (21-25) at the free throw line. Simpson out-rebounded the Thunder 43-40, with Wheaton holding a 16-12 edge on the offensive glass.

Kate Nielsen led Simpson with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Chelsie Rohrs scored 14 points, with five rebounds. Nicole Crisp scored 13 points, with five rebounds, five assists and four steals for the hosts.