PICTURED ABOVE: Jonathan Berntsen led the Thunder with 21 points and seven rebounds in Saturday night's win at Franklin.
Franklin, Ind. - The Wheaton men's basketball team opened its 2015-16 season with an 80-68 victory at Franklin College. Wheaton jumped out to a 14-point first half lead en route to a 38-31 edge. The Grizzlies would get to within three points in the second half before Wheaton put the game away with a six-point run en route to the season-opening victory.
Wheaton shot 29-52 (55.8%) from the field including converting seven-of-17 three-point attempts for a 41.2% clip. The Thunder shot 15-24 (62.5%) from the free throw line including 13-of-15 second half attempts. Franklin made 23-of-65 (35.4%) shot attempts. The Grizzlies also went seven-for-17 from the three-point line and made 75% (12-16) of its free throw attempts.
The Thunder quickly jumped to a 13-6 lead over the first five minutes before pushing their lead to 21-11 with 10:52 left in the half. A
Jonathan Berntsen lay-up and a three-pointer by
Riley Teuscher gave Wheaton its biggest lead of the game at 29-15 with 7:33 left in the half. Consecutive three-pointers by the Grizzlies cut the Wheaton halftime lead down to seven points.
After alternating baskets to start the half, three straight free throws by the Grizzlies cut the lead down to 43-40 just five minutes into the half. A three-point play by
Troy Morrison and a
Trae Masten three-pointer pushed Wheaton's lead back to nine points. Two free throws from Murad Dillarad later pushed the lead into double digits. Franklin would get back to within nine with 37 seconds to play but two free throws by Berntsen and a
Michael Berg (PICTURED RIGHT) free throw pushed the lead to 12 at the end of the game.
Berntsen led the Thunder with a career-high 21 points and also led Wheaton seven assists.
Michael Berg netted 19 points to go with 16 rebounds in a double-double performance.
Trae Masten hit four three-pointers to score 12 points in his collegiate debut and
Murad Dillard added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Franklin's Aaron Mann led all scorers with 24 points.
Wheaton will next be in action on November 17 when the Thunder travel to Benedictine to take on the Eagles at 7 PM.
