Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton women's basketball team hosted Carroll University on Wednesday night in a return to CCIW play for the Thunder. The Pioneers (11-3, 4-1 CCIW) picked up their sixth-consecutive win as the guests defeated Wheaton 87-62. Wheaton is now 8-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
Wheaton's
Annika Richardson led all players with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field, including three-of-four from three-point range.
Annie Tate added 15 points, with a team-high seven rebounds.
Rachel Brady scored six points off the Wheaton bench.
Lily Schwen had a team-high four assists for the hosts.
Wheaton posted a 42.6% (23-of-54) field goal percentage, including 37.5% (6-of-16) behind the three-point arc. The Pioneers shot a sparkling 59% (36-of-61) from the field, including 44.4% (4-of-9) from three-point range. The Thunder had a 31-30 edge in rebounding, including a 13-10 edge on the offensive glass. Carroll's inside scoring was effective tonight as the Pioneers out-scored Wheaton 52-28 in the paint.
Carroll never trailed tonight as The Pioneers scored the game's first 10 points. The guests led 24-13 with 1:50 left in the first quarter. The Thunder scored the final nine points of the opening quarter to trim the Carroll lead to 24-22 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
The second quarter proved crucial for both teams as Carroll out-scored the Thunder 26-6 in the period. Olivia Rangel and Emilie Wizner each scored eight points for the hosts in the quarter. Carroll's 50-28 lead at halftime was its largest lead of the first half.
Each team scored 18 points in the third quarter, and Carroll narrowly out-scored the Thunder 19-16 in the fourth quarter.
Natalie Gricius led Carroll tonight with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Rangel scored 19 points with seven assists and four steals. Wizner added 13 points and Natalie Palzkill tallied 12 points for the guests.
Wheaton takes to the road for its next contest, in a conference matchup at North Park. The Thunder and the Vikings will tip off at 2:00 p.m. in Chicago.
