Wheaton, Ill. - A strong defensive effort helped lead the Thunder to their third-consecutive win to open the season on Friday afternoon. Wheaton held the Lake Forest College Foresters to single digits in each of the first three quarters as the Thunder rolled to a 73-50 victory. With the victory, Wheaton advances to Saturday's Championship Game of the Beth Baker Classic, where they will face Alma College at 3 pm in King Arena. Alma advanced with a 69-63 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran College in Friday's first game.
Wheaton shot 34.3% (24-70) from the field and 33.3% (10-30) from beyond the arc while holding the Foresters (2-1) to 28.1% from the field and 25% (4-16) from the three-point line. Wheaton dominated the game on the boards, earning a 53-39 rebounding advantage.
Lake Forest led 4-3 midway through the first quarter before the Thunder found their stroke from distance. A
Hannah Williams three-pointer and a
Hannah Frazier three-pointer helped the Thunder pull away to an 18-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Two three-pointers to start the second quarter helped the Thunder build a 15-point lead, but the Foresters were able to hang around through the second quarter.
Hannah Swider took over the in the final minute of the half, connecting on a three-pointer before a steal and coast-to-coast lay-up to put the Thunder ahead 35-18 at the halftime break.
A jumper by Frazier and a lay-up by
Kirsten Madsen pushed the Thunder lead over 20 points for the first time, where it would stay for the remainder of the game.
Jill Berg's buzzer-beating lay-up pushed the Thunder lead to 54-26 at the close of the third quarter as the Thunder cruised to the finish of a 73-50 victory.
Hannah Frazier led all scorers with 17 points to go with nine rebounds and four steals.
Hannah Swider poured in 14 points for the second-consecutive game and was joined in double figures by
Kirsten Madsen with 11 points.
Jill Berg grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to go with seven points and five blocks. Adia Maund led the Foresters with 13 points.
