Wheaton, Ill. - The 11th-ranked Wheaton women's basketball team defeated Otterbein University 62-34 on Saturday afternoon in the final game of the 2021 Beth Baker Classic. Wheaton was the lone team to post a 2-0 record in the "classic fomat" tournament. The Thunder never trailed tonight, and led by as many as 37 points late in the fourth quarter. Wheaton opens the season with a 3-0 record.

The Thunder picked up offensive contributions from many sources in today's game. Annie Tate (PICTURED LEFT) led the Thunder with 14 points and she added nine rebounds and two steals. Ellie Cassel scored 13 points with 11 rebounds. Cassel shot 5-of-7 from the field tonight. Caroline Sikkink and Hannah Swider each scored 11 points for the Thunder tonight. Lily Schwen had a team-high three assists for the hosts.

Sikkink was named to the Beth Baker Classic All-Tournament Team, and Tate was named the Tournament MVP. They were joined on the all-tournament team by Katie McCrary of Otterbein, Jayla Johnson of North Park and Courtney Carruthers of Maryville (Tenn.).

Wheaton shot 43.4% (23-of-53) from the field tonight, including 38.5% (5-for-13) from three-point range. The Cardinals posted a 20.6% (13-of-63) field goal percentage, shooting 0-for-13 from three-point range. The Thunder shot 57.9% (11-of-19) at the free throw line and Otterbein had an 80% (8-for-10) effort at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the Cardinals 51-33, including a 14-13 edge on the offensive glass.

Wheaton jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first 7:30 of the game. The Thunder led 12-6 at the end of the first quarter. Tate tallied six points with three rebounds in the first 10 minutes.

Wheaton opened the second quarter with a stunning 18-2 run. Five different Thunder players scored in the key scoring surge. The Thunder led by 25 points at halftime with a 37-12 advantage as the hosts out-scored the Cardinals 25-6 in the second quarter. Swider led the Thunder in the second quarter with seven points, and Sikkink added five points. Cassel grabbed four rebounds with four points.

Wheaton's largest lead of the third quarter was the hosts' 30-point bulge at 50-20 at the end of the period. Five different players scored for Wheaton in the balanced third quarter.

Cassel made a three-pointer with 2:38 left in the game to give Wheaton its largest lead of the night with a 37-point bulge at 61-24 with 2:38 remaining in the game. Cassel scored five points in the fourth quarter. 

The Thunder travel to Lakeland College next Tuesday night for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff against the Muskies.