GAME STATS Dubuque, Iowa – The Thunder women's basketball team closed out its participation in the Loras Holiday Classic on Friday afternoon with a matchup against Calvin University in the consolation game. The Knights survived Wheaton's fourth-quarter rally as Calvin (8-3) topped the Thunder 72-68. Wheaton returns to conference play next Wednesday evening with a 7:00 p.m. tipoff at North Central College in Naperville.
 
Caroline Sikkink led five Thunder players in scoring double digits as she tallied 20 points with three assists. Caylee Hermanson scored 12 points with six rebounds and two steals. Freshman Anna Fernandez scored 11 points with four assists. Annika Richardson scored 10 points with seven rebounds, while Ellie Cassel tallied 10 points with two blocked shots.
 
The Thunder shot 41.9% (26-of-62) from the field, including 25% (5-of-20) from three-point range. Calvin posted a 50.8% (31-of-61) field goal percentage, including 25% (4-of-16) behind the three-point line. Wheaton shot 78.6% (11-of-14) at the free throw line and the Knights shot 60% (6-of-10) at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded Calvin 32-31, including an 8-7 edge on the offensive glass for the Thunder.
 
The teams were tied 14-14 at the end of the first quarter in today's matchup. The Knights scored the first five points of the second quarter to take a 19-14 lead. Calvin remained in control throughout the quarter, out-scoring Wheaton 16-9 in the period as the Knights held a 30-23 lead at the halftime intermission. Sikkink and Richardson each scored sci first-half points for the Thunder, with Richardson grabbing a team-leading four rebounds in the half.
 
The Knights came out strong in the third quarter as Calvin's largest lead of the game was a 15-point advantage at 46-31 with 4:20 remaining in the third. Wheaton took a timeout at that point in the game and closed out the third quarter with a 9-2 scoring advantage. Calvin led the Thunder 48-40 at the end of the third.
Calvin led Wheaton by 12 points at 67-55 with 2:14 remaining in the fourth quarter when Sikkink made a layup that sparked a 13-5 Thunder run to close out the game. Fernandez made a key three-pointer with 34-seconds left in the game to cut the Knights' lead to 71-68. The Thunder fouled Calvin on the Knights' next possession and Calvin made one of two free throws to extend their lead to 72-68. Wheaton missed a three-pointer with about 10 seconds left in the game and Calvin collected the rebound to secure the victory.
 
Gabby Timmer led Calvin with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Sara Nealy scored 15 points with three assists. Sydney Clear scored 14 points with six assists. Leah Harris tallied 12 points with five assists and four steals for the Knights.