PICTURED ABOVE: Katie McDaniels racked up 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks in Wheaton's 78-54 win at Millikin on Wednesday night.
Decatur, Ill. - The Thunder women's basketball won its eighth straight game on Wednesday night with a 78-54 win at Millikin on Wednesday night. Wheaton's win coupled with North Central's loss to Carthage guarantees Wheaton at least a share of its first CCIW Championship since 2007 and gives the Thunder home court advantage for the upcoming CCIW Tournament. With the win, Wheaton improves to 21-2 overall and 11-1 in CCIW play while Millikin falls to 13-10 and 4-8 in the CCIW. Wheaton will face the Carthage Lady Reds at 5 PM on Saturday night in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Wheaton shot 43.1% (28-65) from the field including a 7-of-17 (41.2%) from beyond the arc. Wheaton was able to overcome a 55.6% (15-27) showing from the free throw line. The Thunder defense held Millikin to 26.8% (15-56) from the field and 22.2% (6-27) from the three-point line. Milllikin was 18-23 (78.3%) from the free throw line. Millikin won the rebounding battle 48-37 including a 13-9 edge on the offensive glass.
The early minutes of the game provided a series of runs with both teams taking and surrendering the lead. A 10-2 Millikin run gave the Big Blue their biggest lead of the game at 21-16 with 8:32 to play in the first half. The Millikin lay-up would prove to be its last field goal of the first half. Wheaton answered with an 11-0 run and extended the run into a 23-2 run to close the half and take a 39-23 lead at halftime.
Millikin's field goal drought continued for nearly eight minutes into the second half until a jumper at the 12:03 mark ended the drought after 16:29 of game action with Wheaton leading 48-30. The Thunder lead would not drop below 15 and an 8-0 run late in the game pushed the lead to as many as 26 before the final score settled at 78-54.
Katie McDaniels led the Thunder with an impressive stat line of 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks.
Chantal Meacham (PICTURED RIGHT) connected on five three-point attempts to finish with 18 points, three assists and two steals.
Ellie Zeller scored 17 points with five rebounds and five steals and
Lauren Graham scored six points and grabbed six rebounds. Yip Ypya and Alyssa Saklak led the Big Blue with 11 points each.
Wheaton play its final road game of the regular season on Saturday night when the Thunder travel to Tarble Arena to take on the Carthage Lady Reds at 5 PM.
