Wheaton, Ill. – The Thunder women's basketball team, ranked 21^st in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top-25, defeated Trine University 81-68 on Saturday afternoon in the Championship Game of the Fifth Annual Beth Baker Classic. Wheaton improves to 2-1 on the season, while Trine falls to 1-1.

Wheaton held a six-point lead at 41-35 during the halftime intermission, but Wheaton dominated Trine 20-8 in the third quarter to pull ahead 61-43 as the two teams headed to the final quarter.

Wheaton All-American Katie McDaniels led all players with a game-high 21 points and she added eight assists with two steals. McDaniels was named the tournament MVP at the conclusion of the game. Senior guard Chantal Meacham shot 8-of-9 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range as she contributed 19 points to earn All-Tournament recognition. Kelly Thornton scored 12 points off the Wheaton bench, making four three-pointers. Kelly Lawson contributed 11 points, with five rebounds and four assists. Guard Maggie Dansdill scored nine points, with six rebounds for the hosts. Devin Kyler had four assists, with four steals and two blocked shots.

Hayley Martin, an All-Tournament selection, led Trine with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Brandi Dawson, an All-Tournament pick, scored 14 points with seven rebounds.

Wheaton shot 51.6% (32-of-62) from the field, including 40.9% (9-of-22) from three-point range. Trine posted a 38% (19-of-50) field goal percentage, including 50% (3-of-6) from three-point range Trine shot 93.1% (27-of-29) at the free throw line and Wheaton posted a 72.7% (8-of-11) effort at the charity stripe. Trine edged Wheaton 32-31 in rebounding and the guests had an 11-10 advantage on the offensive glass.