PICTURED ABOVE: Katie McDaniels led the Thunder with 11 points in a 62-48 loss at North Park on Wednesday night.

Chicago, Ill. - A cold shooting first half proved to be too much for the #12-ranked Thunder women's basketball team on Wednesday night. The Thunder shot just 25% from the field including 0-for-11 shooting from the three-point line and couldn't dig themselves out of a 16-point halftime deficit en route to a 62-48 loss at North Park University. The loss snaps Wheaton's six-game winning streak and drops the Thunder to 13-2 overall and 3-1 in CCIW play. The Vikings improve to 9-6 overall and 1-3 in conference action.

Wheaton finished the game shooting 35.7% (20-56) from the field despite struggling to just 16.7% (4-24) from beyond the three-point line and just 4-9 from the free throw line. North Park shot 46.5% (20-43) from the field and made two of its seven three-point attempts for a 28.6% clip. The Vikings were 20-28 (71.4%) from the free throw line. North Park held a 37-27 edge on the glass.

An early 10-2 run by the Vikings quickly gave the hosts a double digit lead at 18-8 with 9:22 to play in the half. Wheaton was able to cut the lead back to six points on a pair of occasions but the Vikings finished the half on a 10-0 run over the final 4:52 of the half to take a 32-16 lead into the intermission break.

North Park continued its run, extending the lead to 21, less than five minutes into the second half. The Thunder would get within 13 with 12:33 to play but the Vikings answered with another 10-0 run to put the game away. Wheaton finished the game on a 9-0 run over the final 2:55 to cut the final deficit to 62-48.

Katie McDaniels led the Thunder with 11 points as well as a team-high five rebounds and five assists. Chantal Meacham and Moriah Reeves each finished with eight points. Liz Rehberger led the Vikings with 18 points.

Wheaton will next be in action on Saturday when the Thunder travel to Rock Island to take on the Augustana Vikings at 5 PM.