Wheaton, Ill. - The Thunder women's basketball team used a record-setting performance to open conference play with an 84-80 victory over Augustana College on Wednesday night. The Thunder rode a record-setting 15 made three-pointers to improve its record to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the CCIW. Wheaton's 15 made three-pointers eclipses the previous program record of 14 which was set on three occasions, most recently in a February 13, 2016 win over Carthage. Wheaton will continue its CCIW run on Saturday with a 2 pm tip-off at Millikin University.

The Thunder shot an impressive 50% from the field (27-54) and from the three-point line, making 15-of-30 attempts. Wheaton's hot shooting also extended to the free throw line where the Thunder shot 15-of-17 (88.2%). Augustana rode a red-hot fourth quarter to shoot 43.3% from the field and 63.6% from the three-point line.

Wheaton came flying out of the gates, connecting on three-pointers on each of its first four possessions, including the first three by Kristi Demski, building a 12-0 lead in two and a half minutes. A three-pointer by Kirsten Madsen late in the first quarter pushed the lead to 24-9, but the Vikings closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to pull within 24-16.

Jacqueline San Jule opened the second quarter with a three-pointer that started an 8-0 Thunder run to push the lead to 16 points at 32-16. An eight-point run by the Augustana later in the quarter pulled the Vikings back to within eight points en route to a 36-27 Thunder halftime lead.

Leading 41-31 early in the third quarter, a three-point play by Jordan Myroth launched the Thunder on a 14-2 run that pushed Wheaton to a 55-33 lead on a Kirsten Madsen three-pointer. A three-point play later in the quarter by Bonnie Zeller pushed the lead back to 22 points, but the Vikings quickly ran off eight unanswered points before two free throws by San Jule at the end of the quarter made it 60-44.

Augustana caught fire in the fourth quarter, shooting 61.1% (11-18) from the field while connecting on nine of 11 three-point attempts in a 36-point fourth quarter outburst. The Vikings used an 18-5 run to pull within 73-69 with 2:30 to play. Augustana was able to get as close on three points on a pair of occasions but Wheaton was able to ice the game from the free throw line, surviving one more last second three-pointer for an 84-80 victory.

Hannah Frazier led four Thunder in double figures with 17 points. Kirsten Madsen and Hannah Williams each finished with 14 points with Madsen hitting four of Wheaton's 15 three-pointers. Hannah Swider added 10 points. Jordan Myroth filled the stat sheet with seven points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four blocks.