Naperville, Ill. -- After a Wednesday night contest at Augustana, the Wheaton women's basketball team rounded out its week away from home with a short drive to Naperville to take on the North Central College Cardinals. The Thunder saw their 31-game win streak against today's opponents ended with an 85-66 defeat, marking the first time since February of 2008 that North Central successfully defended its home court against Wheaton. The Thunder's record now sits at 10-8 overall and 3-6 in conference action this season.

Annie Tate, who led Wheaton with 24 points this afternoon, got the scoring underway with a turnaround jumper in the paint, and the visitors seized an early 4-0 tilt after Annika Richardson's layup in the lane. But North Central responded with a ten-point blitz to earn its first lead of the contest, and the hosts held the advantage on the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. The Cardinals were up 19-14 after the first period, and Wheaton managed to stay within double-digits of the home side until the midway point of the second quarter. But an 11-0 run to make it 38-19 with three minutes to play in the first half proved to be a sufficient cushion for North Central to see off its guest and snap its lengthy drought against the Thunder.

The Cardinals out-shot Wheaton from the field at a 48.5-40.7% edge across the four quarters. The hosts only knocked down one more three-pointer than the away side, but North Central's impeccable free throw shooting of 92% gave it another advantage in the box score. The Thunder won the rebounding battle at a 41-35 margin, in large part due to Jenna Hunter's impressive 14-board tally. The freshman (pictured below) gathered in seven offensive rebounds, and her total of 14 was at least twice as much as any other player on Saturday. Wheaton earned more points from the bench and more second chance points, but North Central's sizable advantages in turnovers forced, points off of turnovers, and fast break points were enough to seal the win. 

Tate posted five rebounds and two steals to go with her team-leading scoring total. Hunter made four of her six shot attempts and was one point shy of her first collegiate double-double. Richardson was Wheaton's only other scorer to reach double-figures on Saturday with ten points to her name, and the junior joined Tate on five rebounds. Alexis Martin registered seven points and six boards off the bench, while Belle Iten chipped in with six points from a pair of threes despite only playing for three minutes this afternoon.

Wheaton returns to King Arena on Wednesday night for the home leg against the Augustana Vikings, just one week after facing them in Rock Island. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM.