Elmhurst, Ill. - The Thunder women's basketball team earned a 76-55 victory at Elmhurst University's R.A. Faganel Hall on Thursday night. Wheaton improves to 3-1 (3-1 CCIW) with tonight's win, while the Bluejays fall to 1-3 (1-3 CCIW).

Annie Tate and Hannah Swider (PICTURED LEFT) each scored 20 points for the Thunder. Tate added 12 rebounds to record her first career "double-double". She shot 72.7% (8-of-11) from the field. Swider made four three-pointers in the victory. She also added four assists with five rebounds.

Ellie Cassell had 11 points, with nine rebounds for the guests. Bonnie Zeller scored seven points off the Wheaton bench. Hannah Williams scored six points, with six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Taylor Sanders tallied six points with three assists.

The Thunder shot 47.5% (28-of-59) from the field, including 42.9% (6-of-14) from three-point range. Elmhurst posted a 32.3% (21-of-65) field goal percentage, including 27.8% (5-of-18) behind the three-point arc. Wheaton shot 87.5% (14-of-16) at the free throw line, while the Bluejays had a 72.7% (8-for-11) performance at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the guests 44-32 as each team collected 13 offensive rebounds.

Elmhurst jumped out to an early 6-4 lead in the first two-and-a-half minutes of tonight's matchup. It was the hosts' final lead of the game as the Thunder responded wtih 14 unanwered points to take an 18-6 lead with 3:20 left in the first quarter. The guests led 22-11 at the conclusion of the first quarter. Wheaton out-scored the Bluejays 18-17 as the Thunder led 40-28 at the halftime break. The 22-point Thunder advantage at 64-42 at the end of the third quarter tied the largest Wheaton lead of the game. 

Courtney O'Donnell led Elmhurst with 17 points and six rebounds. Kelly Weyrich added 10 points for the hosts with three assists. Taylor Harazin grabbed a team-high eight rebounds for the Bluejays.

The two teams will battle each other on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Wheaton's King Arena.