Bloomington, Ill. – The Wheaton women's basketball team faced Illinois Wesleyan University on its home court Saturday afternoon in a CCIW matchup. The Titans (15-8, 12-2 CCIW) defeated the Thunder 81-54 in the matchup. Wheaton is now 15-8 (7-7 CCIW) on the season. Wheaton travels to North Park on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for its final road contest of the regular season.
 
Caroline Sikkink led the Thunder today in Bloomington with a team-high 15 points, and seven rebounds. Freshman Annika Richardson scored 13 points, with four rebounds. Richardson made a pair of three-pointers for the guests. Bryn Durrill scored nine points, with three rebounds and two assists. Hannah Swider scored eight points with four rebounds for the Thunder.
 
The Thunder shot 34.5% (19-of-55) from the field this afternoon, including 26.7% (4-of-15) behind the three-point arc. Illinois Wesleyan had a 46.5% (33-of-71) field goal percentage, including 37.5% (9-of-24) from three-point range. Wheaton shot 80% (12-of-15) at the free throw line this afternoon, while the Titans shot 60% (6-of-10) at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the Titans 41-38, and each team collected eight offensive boards.
 
Illinois Wesleyan's Catie Eck led all players with 21 points, five blocked shots and four rebounds. Katelyn Heller scored 16 points off the Titans' bench, and grabbed eight rebounds. Brooke Lansford scored 11 points with seven assists, and Lauren Huber added 10 points.
 
The Thunder jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game. The contest was tied 10-10 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Lansford hit a three-pointer at the end of the quarter to cap a 9-2 IWU run that gave the hosts a 19-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
 
Illinois Wesleyan out-scored the Thunder 23-12 in the second quarter to pull away for good as the Titans led 42-24 at halftime.