PICTURED ABOVE: The Thunder men's basketball team receives its championship trophy from tournament namesake Lee Pfund

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton Thunder men's basketball team rallied from a second-half deficit to earn a 76-61 against Defiance College in the Championship Game of the 20^th Lee Pfund Classic on Saturday night. Wheaton improves to 3-1 on the year and will be off until a December 2 matchup against University of Chicago.

Defiance led for much of the first half, including a 30-17 lead with 6:47 left before halftime. The Yellow Jackets held a 13-point edge at 35-22 with 3:50 remaining in the first half when the hosts put together a 12-2 run to close out the half. Wheaton's scoring surge, led by seven points from Michael Berg (PICTURED LEFT), cut Defiance's lead to 37-34 at halftime.

The Yellow Jackets let 51-47 with 13:20 left in regulation when a basket by Wheaton's Trae Masten sparked the Thunder a 22-4 scoring surge that gave the Thunder a 71-55 lead with 4:45 left in the second half. Wheaton closed out the final minutes of the game to earn the win.

Berg led the Thunder with 19 points and eight rebounds. Berg was named the Will Landry Tournament MVP at the conclusion of the tournament for his work in Wheaton's two wins this weekend. Berntsen (PICTURED RIGHT) scored 16 points with four assists and was named the to the all-tournament team. Luke Peters scored 11 points, with five rebounds and Murad Dillard tallied 11 points, with two assists.

Tyler Alexander scored 19 points for the Yellow Jackets and he added nine rebounds. Michael Parker scored 12 points.

Wheaton shot 48.2% (27-of-56) from the field, including 50% (7-for-14) from three-point range and the Thunder posted a 75% (15-for-20) effort at the charity stripe.  Defiance posted a 45.5% (25-for-55) field goal percentage, with 15% (3-for-20) from three-point range and 57.1% (8-for-14) at the free throw line. Defiance out-rebounded the Thunder 36-31, with the Yellow Jackets holding a 10-8 edge on the offensive glass.