GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Maris Hovee had 15 points and 14 rebounds in Wheaton's 70-34 victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Friday night.

Claremont, Calif.- The Wheaton women's basketball team improve to 6-1 on the young season with 70-34 victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first of two games in California this weekend.  Maris Hovee had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds to lead three scorers in double figures.  Wheaton will face Ponoma-Pitzer tomorrow night.

Wheaton shot 44% from the field in the first half (16-36) despite shooting just 1-9 from the three-point arc.  The Thunder defense held the Athenas to just 16.7% shooting in the first half (4-24) and 15.4% (2-13) from the three-point line.  The strong defensive effort allowed the Thunder to take a 35-16 lead at the halftime break.

The Thunder defense tightened even more in the second half holding the Athenas to 0-8 shooting from beyond the arc and just 14.3% (3-21) total from the field.  Wheaton improved their shooting in the second half to 46.4% (13-28) and 2-3 from three.  12 of the Athenas' 18 points in the secon half came in the second half as Wheaton pulled away to a 70-34 victory.

Joining Hovee in double digit scoring was Ellie Zeller with 14 points and Lauren Graham (PICTURED RIGHT) with 11.  Graham and Olson each grabbed six rebounds in the effort as the Thunder outrebounded Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 50-29 in the contest.

Wheaton improves to 6-1 on the season while C-M-S falls to 1-7.  Wheaton will face Ponoma-Pitzer in the final game of their west coast swing tomorrow night.