Chicago, Ill. -- Leaving home for the seventh-consecutive time on Saturday afternoon, the Thunder men's basketball team headed into the Windy City to face the reigning CCIW Tournament champions, North Park. Wheaton used a powerful first-half performance to eventually secure a 79-69 victory over the Vikings and pick up its second conference road win of the season. The Thunder's CCIW record now stands at 2-3.

Both sides needed some time to warm up offensively in today's contest, as the opening minutes saw each team slowly trade baskets in an attempt to seize control. A 5-0 run capped by an and-one bucket from Connor Braun gave the visitors a 14-11 advantage approaching the 12:00 mark, but the Vikings answered back by jumping into a 20-16 lead. North Park led by four points with seven minutes remaining in the half, but Wheaton dominated the conclusion of the period and ended the first frame with a run that would ultimately help decide the game. Trailing 23-19, the Thunder rattled off the next nine points and answered a drought-ending layup by NPU with another 8-0 surge to build a 36-25 lead, a run punctuated by a three from tonight's leading scorer, Nate Sock. After the hosts connected on a jumper in the paint with a minute remaining, Sock again found the net from beyond the arc on Wheaton's final possession to make it 40-27 at the intermission.

North Park did not want to go down on its home floor without a fight and managed to cut Wheaton's lead down to five points with seven minutes left in the contest. But this was as close as the hosts got to their guests after halftime, and the Thunder showed excellent game management skills to shut down the Vikings' talented play-makers and see out the positive road result. Wheaton led by seven points heading into the final minute of the game, and the team's last five points came from the free throw line as North Park unsuccessfully tried to extend the contest.

The home side posted a better overall field goal percentage than tonight's victors, but Wheaton's shooting in the second half and advantage at the charity stripe proved to be the difference. The Thunder shot 46% from the field and 50% from three after the interval, and Wheaton was a solid 21-27 from the foul line this evening, while NPU only collected six points from free throws. Wheaton also out-rebounded its host at a 44-32 total and came up with more second chance opportunities than the Vikings. The lead changed hands nine times in the first half of Saturday's matchup, but after moving in front at the 5:34 mark of the first period, the Thunder held the advantage on the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. 

Nate Sock followed up his career-high scoring total in Wednesday's game at Augustana with another 25 points this evening to lead all scorers. The senior also grabbed a joint game-high seven rebounds and dished out three assists while shooting 50% from the floor, including sinking a game-best four threes. Connor Braun had a productive showing, leading Wheaton in rebounding, assists, and shot-blocking, with seven, four, and two, respectively, along with his six points. Soren Richardson, Ty Ferguson, and Kyle Neibch all scored in double-figures today, going for 15, 11, and ten points, respectively. Ferguson and Nick Schiavello each grabbed two of Wheaton's four steals this afternoon, and the latter contributed nine points and six rebounds, as well.

Wheaton will finally return home for its first game in King Arena in 2024 on Wednesday night, as the Thunder welcome the Carthage Firebirds to town. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM.