PICTURED ABOVE: Jonathan Berntsen led the Thunder with nine points on Wednesday night.

Decatur, Ill. - The Millikin University men's basketball team earned an 86-46 win at home against Wheaton on Wednesday night. Millikin jumped out to a 19-4 lead and closed the first half on a 15-2 run to lead by 23 at halftime. Wheaton is now 8-9 on the season and 1-5 in the CCIW. Millikin improves to 7-10 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Wheaton will return home on Saturday to host Carthage at 7 PM.

Wheaton shot 33.3% (17-51) from the field and 34.8% (8-23) from the three-point line, while making four of eight attempts from the free throw line (50%). Millikin shot 53.6% (30-56) from the field, including 52.9% (9-17) on three-point attempts. The Big Blue converted 17-of-26 free throw attempts for a 65.4% conversion percentage.

Millikin used a 9-0 run early to take an 11-2 lead just three minutes into the game. Another run late in the first half set the Big Blue up with a 44-21 edge at the intermission. Millikin continued to pull away throughout the second half to earn the 86-46 victory.

Jonathan Berntsen led the Thunder with nine points, Brayden Teuscher scored eight points and Mark Champion and Joel Smith finished with seven points. Peter Smith led the Thunder with eight rebounds.