Wheaton, Ill. – The eight-ranked Wheaton women's basketball team opened the home portion of its 2015-16 schedule with a 91-42 victory against Saint Mary's College (Ind.) in the opening day of the 2015 Beth Baker Classic. Wheaton will host Defiance College on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the tournament's final day.

The Thunder jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2:30 of today's game and never looked back the hosts led 22-9 at the end of the first quarter. Wheaton's largest lead of the game was a 54-point bugle at 91-37 with 2:40 remaining in the game.

Wheaton received good offensive balance with five players scoring in double digits tonight. Junior Chantal Meacham scored 17 points with a 5-for-6 effort behind the three-point arc and she added five assists. All-American Katie McDaniels scored 15 points with three assists and four steals. Ellie Zeller, Hannah Considine (PICTURED LEFT) and NatalieRose Brogan each scored 10 points for the hosts. Considine led Wheaton's rebounding efforts with nine boards. Mel Bremhorst scored six points with five rebounds.

Gabby Diamond led the Belles in rebounding with 12 points and six rebounds. Eleni Shea scored nine points, with eight rebounds and three assists.

The Thunder shot 46.3% (31-for-67) from the field, including 45.5% (10-for-22) from three-point range and the hosts had a 76% (19-of-25) effort at the free throw line. Saint Mary's recorded a 24.1% (14-of-58) field goal percentage, with 25% (2-for-8) behind the three-point arc and 57.1% (12-of-21) at the charity stripe.

Wheaton out-rebounded the Belles 43-41 tonight; however, the Belles owned a 15-12 edge on the offensive glass. The Belles committed 28 turnovers tonight as Wheaton owned a 31-7 edge in points off of turnovers.