Wheaton, Ill. -- One week after beginning its 2024-25 campaign, the Wheaton women's basketball team took to the King Arena court for the first time this season to face Anderson University in its opening game of the annual Beth Baker Classic. The Thunder secured a 79-64 victory in their first-ever meeting with the Ravens tonight thanks to a 45-point first half performance and a stingy defensive effort. Wheaton improves to 1-1 on the new season and will remain at home on Saturday evening to close out the 12th edition of its yearly four-team event.

Anderson notched the first basket of tonight's contest, but Wheaton proceeded to outscore their Indiana visitors 22-3 in the remainder of the first quarter to establish a lopsided early advantage. Consecutive baskets in the paint from Friday's leading scorer Annika Richardson spurred a 6-0 run for the hosts, and after the Ravens converted a layup to make it 7-4 in Wheaton's favor halfway through the frame, the Thunder mounted a 16-point surge to build a lead they would never relinquish.

Another 8-0 run in the middle of the second period was capped off by a bucket in the lane from Kate Oliver (pictured right) that stretched Wheaton's lead to 35-10. The two sides exchanged baskets in the final 3:30 of the first half, as Anderson finally began to find some offensive rhythm, but this was not enough to prevent the Thunder from entering the intermission with a commanding 45-18 advantage.

Wheaton did not find as much offensive enjoyment and fluidity after halftime in tonight's contest, but its sizable lead proved to be a sufficient cushion to allow for a convincing win, even with the Raves outscoring the Thunder in the second half. The middle of the fourth quarter was the visitors' best stretch of the night, as Anderson scored 18 unanswered to trim the hosts' lead to 68-57 with two and a half minutes to play. But seven important free throws from Oliver and a well-timed Alyssa Faberowski three-pointer under the two-minute mark extinguished any hope of a comeback for the Ravens. The Thunder got to celebrate a well-earned win in front of their vocal King Arena crowd and joined tonight's opponents on a 1-1 season record. 

Wheaton shot over 50% from the floor in both the first and second quarter tonight and finished the game with a 47% figure. The Thunder smothered the Anderson offense in the first half on Friday, holding the Ravens to a 2-13 opening quarter performance and just one made three-pointer from 12 attempts in the first 20 minutes. Both sides went 14-24 from the free throw line, while the lead changed hands just twice all game as the Thunder held the advantage permanently from the 8:27 mark of the first quarter. Anderson topped its host in four of the five box score scoring categories this evening, but a notable points in the paint disparity ultimately made the difference, as Wheaton controlled the lane via a 44-26 tilt.

Richardson scored 20 points to lead all players tonight while also leading Wheaton with three steals and grabbing seven rebounds. Oliver registered 17 points and dished out a career-high seven assists in the win to go with her four boards and two takeaways. Faberowski contributed 15 points and six rebounds, while Jenna Hunter was the fourth Thunder scorer in double-digits with 11 to her name and matched Faberowski's rebound total. Alexis Martin gathered in a joint game-high nine boards, and Lily Caddow had an impressive all-around effort off the bench, scoring seven points, bringing down five rebounds, joining Richardson on three steals, and earning three assists.

After a successful home opener on Friday, the Thunder women's team will look to win both of its Baker Classic matchups for the second year running when it takes on Whitworth University tomorrow. The Pirates defeated North Park University, 77-66, this evening in the first game of this weekend's slate. Tip-off between Wheaton and Whitworth is set for 5 PM on Saturday.