PICTURED ABOVE: Katie McDaniels led the Thunder with 16 points.

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton women's basketball team hosted Blackburn College on Friday in the opening day of the 2016 Beth Baker Classic. The Thunder defeated the Beavers 90-33 to advance Wheaton to tomorrow's championship game at 3:00 p.m. against Trine University. Trine was an 87-53 victor in today's opening game. Blackburn will face UW-Platteville in the consolation game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Thunder All-American Katie McDaniels led Wheaton in today's contest against Blackburn with 16 points, three assists and five steals. Kelly Lawson (PICTURED LEFT) scored 12 points, with four assists. Sophomore Kelly Thornton registered 12 points, making four three-pointers, and she added three assists. Maggie Dansdill scored 10 points with four steals and three assists for the hosts. Abby Dorman and Devin Kyler each scored eight points.

Jordan Laczkowski led Blackburn with 11 points and Abby Frerichs contributed five points and eight rebounds off of the Beavers' bench. Aleisha Stiltner, Maria Cline and Brooke Meyer each scored four points for the guests.

Wheaton shot 46.6% (34-of-73) from the field, including 29.2% (7-of-24) from three-point range. Blackburn posted a 25.6% (11-of-43) field goal percentage, including 45.5% (5-of-11) behind the three-point arc. Wheaton shot 60% (15-of-25) at the free throw line and Blackburn also registered 60% (6-of-10) from the charity stripe. Wheaton dominated the glass with a 47-29 edge in rebounding as the Thunder had a 22-7 advantage in offensive rebounds.