Wheaton, Ill. -- The Wheaton women's basketball team returned to King Arena on Wednesday evening after consecutive road trips to host the Carthage College Firebirds. Both teams came into the matchup owning CCIW records of 4-10, making tonight's meeting a high-stakes encounter in the race to earn a conference tournament berth. Carthage jumped out to an early lead and out-scored the Thunder in three of the four quarters to eventually secure a competitive and significant road win. The result means that Wheaton is eliminated from CCIW Tournament qualification and will close out its 2023-24 season this weekend.

The Firebirds came out of the gate with purpose and energy this evening, building advantages of 7-2 and 15-4 on the scoreboard. But the game's leading scorer, Annie Tate, registered seven of Wheaton's 12 points in the first quarter to keep the hosts within touching distance of their Wisconsin opponents. The Thunder ended the frame on an 8-0 surge over the final three minutes to haul Carthage in after their quick start. A layup from Kate Oliver and a triple by Tate in the first 90 seconds of the second period put even more pressure on the Firebirds, but the guests responded well by mounting a 6-0 run of their own to restore a cushion at 24-17. This sequence of Wheaton trimming Carthage's lead only for the visitors to pull back out in front became a common theme of Wednesday's matchup, with the Thunder only managing to get ahead of their guests twice near the end of the third quarter. A three-ball for the Firebirds with 30 seconds left in the half threatened to take the game away by making the score 39-30, but Wheaton scored the last two points of the first half and first five of the second to stay in the contest.

The third quarter proved to be the hosts' most effective stretch of the night, with Wheaton out-scoring Carthage 22-17 and finally holding the lead. Trailing 46-37 with just over two minutes of the frame played, the Thunder blitzed their visitors for the next eight points to make it a single-point game. Another three-pointer from Tate then gave the home side its first scoreboard advantage at 52-51 with 1:16 remaining in the quarter. But the Firebirds beat the buzzer with a triple of their own to nudge back in front at 56-54 heading into the decisive fourth frame. Unfortunately for the hosts, it was Carthage's turn to begin the period on a hot streak, as a fast-break layup and an and-one three-point play stretched the visitors' lead back up to seven. Oliver responded with a three at the other end, and two free throws from Tate made it 61-59 in Carthage's favor with seven and a half minutes to play. But this would be as close as the Thunder came to overturning the lead in the final period, as the Firebirds repeatedly found the answer on the offensive end and made a sufficient amount of free throws to stay ahead of their determined chasers. The home side gave their opponents a late scare when Annika Richardson made a layup, stole the ensuing in-bound pass, and converted both foul shots to make it a single-possession game with six seconds left. But the Firebirds managed to get the ball in successfully thereafter and knocked down both free throws to ice away the win at 84-79.

Both sides shot the ball well on Wednesday, with Wheaton logging a 47.3% total from the field against a team that has kept opponents under 40% throughout the season. Both teams shot an even 50% from three-point land, and the Thunder also outperformed Carthage at the foul line at a 79.2-71.4% clip. The hosts won the rebounding battle by a three-board margin, but Carthage forced six more turnovers, and these takeaways would prove pivotal in deciding the outcome of the game, with the Firebirds earning 21 points off of turnovers to Wheaton's nine. The lanes saw plenty of action in a physical contest, with Wheaton posting 36 points in the paint and Carthage 34. The Thunder created more second chance opportunities than the Firebirds, but the guests used their up-tempo style effectively this evening, registering 20 fast break points.

Tate's 26 points led all scorers on Wednesday, and the senior earned a double-double with ten rebounds, as well as blocking a game-high two shots and earning three assists. Oliver also collected a double-double with 15 points, a game-best 11 boards, and a team-leading three steals. Richardson had an efficient performance, joining Oliver on 15 points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing out three dimes, and shooting 6-7 from the floor. Lily Schwen contributed eight points and a joint game-high five assists, and backcourt partner Alyssa Faberowski totaled six points and three rebounds.

The Wheaton women will remain in King Arena on Saturday evening to face the North Park Vikings in the final game of the campaign. The Senior Night contest is set to tip off at 5 PM, and there will be a ceremony to honor the senior players on the roster before the game begins.