GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Nate Haynes led the Thunder with 15 points and 16 rebounds to register his fourth "double-double of the year.
Naperville, Ill. – The eight-ranked Wheaton Thunder men's basketball team lost a 69-55 decision at top-ranked North Central College (13-0/2-0) on Saturday night in a key CCIW contest. Wheaton falls to 10-3 overall and 0-2 in CCIW play. The Thunder will return to action on Wednesday night when Wheaton hosts North Park at 7:30 PM.
Thunder junior Nathan Haynes led Wheaton with 15 points and 16 rebounds to record his fourth “double-double” of the year tallying double digits in both points and rebounds. The forward also recorded five steals.
Tyler Peters (PICTURED LEFT) scored 14 points with five assists.
Brayden Teuscher scored nine points for the guests, while
Michael Kvam and
Joel Smith registered six points apiece.
Vince Kmiec led the Cardinals with 20 points on the night. Aaron Tiknis added 19 points and eight rebounds. Landon Gamble scored 14 points with 11 rebounds.
The Thunder posted a 29% (19-66) field goal percentage, with 29% (6-21) from behind the three-point arc and 58% (11-19) at the free throw line. North Central shot 51% (22-43) from the field, with 50% (7-14) from three-point range and 56% (18-32) at the free throw line. Wheaton out-rebounded the Cardinals 44-38, with a 20-6 edge on the offensive glass.
Wheaton led 14-13 with 11:55 remaining in the first half when the guests scored the next five points to increase the lead to 19-13. The Cardinals responded to tie the game at 23-23 with 3:15 left before halftime. Wheaton countered by regaining the lead as The Thunder led the Cardinals 28-25 at halftime.
The Cardinals opened the second half with a 10-3 scoring surge that gave the hosts a 35-31 lead with 15:00 left in the second half. North Central built up its lead to 53-38 with 6:40 left in the game and continued to lead on its way to the 69-55 victory.
