Kenosha, Wis. -- After a midweek break from competition, the Thunder women's basketball team continued CCIW play on Saturday afternoon in search of its first conference win of the young season against the Carthage Firebirds. Wheaton prevailed, 63–60, in today's exciting matchup, improving to 4–6 overall and earning its first road victory of the year. Carthage also moves to 4–6 after the defeat and is winless in league play at 0-3.

Wheaton opened the game with a 14–8 first quarter lead, fueled by strong defensive pressure. The Thunder forced five Carthage turnovers in the opening period and capitalized in transition, scoring five fast break points to set the early tone.

The visitors extended their momentum into the second quarter behind three-point conversions from Grace Kizer and Paige Ferwerda, building their largest lead of the half at 25–16. Wheaton closed the quarter with another defensive stand, holding the Firebirds to 27.8 percent shooting and preventing a made field goal over the final 3:44 of the half. The Thunder entered the break with a 28–22 advantage.

Wheaton out-shot Carthage 38.5 percent to 31 percent from the field in the first half and held the Firebirds scoreless from beyond the arc on a 0-11 three-point mark. The Thunder also edged the rebounding battle on the defensive glass, 15–13.

The third quarter began as a back-and-forth affair with the hosts improving their fortunes on the offensive end until the 5:33 mark, when Wheaton ignited a 15–0 run over the next three minutes that began with a Lily Caddow layup. Eight of the Thunder's points came at the free throw line, while Carthage committed three turnovers during this stretch. The Firebirds responded with an 8–0 run to close the quarter, trimming their deficit to ten points at 50-40.

The action-packed period featured 40 combined points. Despite the Thunder's mid-quarter surge, Carthage out-shot Wheaton 54.5 percent to 41.7 percent in the frame. Wheaton made its impact at the stripe, earning 13 free throw attempts and converting 11, while also scoring 16 points off seven forced turnovers.

Carthage opened the fourth quarter on a 13–6 run, pulling within three points of Wheaton with five minutes left to play despite three-consecutive lane baskets from Jenna Hunter (pictured right). But Caddow halted the home  side's momentum with a driving layup to restore her team's five-point cushion.

Following Caddow's seventh steal of the game, Wheaton pushed the ball in transition. Senior Kate Oliver took possession at the top of the key, drove into the lane, and finished a behind-the-back crossover with a smooth mid-range jumper to extend the lead. On the next possession, Oliver converted two free throws to give the Thunder a nine-point advantage.

After struggling from deep for most of the game, the Firebirds connected on consecutive three-pointers to pull within three with 59 seconds remaining. Wheaton drained the full shot clock on its ensuing possession but did not score, allowing Carthage an opportunity to tie the game with 24 seconds left.

A Firebirds guard drove into the paint, came up short, secured her own rebound, and was fouled. She missed the first free throw but made the second. The hosts then deliberately fouled Oliver with six seconds remaining. Just as she was in this fixture last season, the senior was again faced with a trip to the foul line in the closing seconds and split the pair, leaving Carthage with one last chance to send the contest into overtime. The Firebirds' final shot rattled off the front rim, sealing Wheaton's first conference win of the season and its second-consecutive three-point victory in Kenosha.

Wheaton shot 40.8 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range (4–12), while converting an impressive 19 of its 25 free throws on the day. The guests held their Wisconsin opponents to a 37.5 percent shooting mark and a lowly 5-24 count from beyond the arc.

The Thunder narrowly won the rebounding battle, 34–33, while the Firebirds earned advantages in paint points, points off of turnovers, and fast break points. Despite the tight final scoreline, Wheaton trailed for just 25 seconds all game, even with Carthage battling back from an 18-point deficit late in the third quarter.

Caddow finished with 12 points on 50 percent shooting and led the team with six rebounds and a career-high seven steals while also dishing out a pair of assists. The forward Hunter paced the Thunder with 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting, closing the game by making five of her final six attempts. Oliver added 13 points, including going five of six from the free throw line, while filling the stat sheet with five boards, two assists, one steal, and one block. Petra Trumbach earned a team-high three assists, and Lydia Brogan matched Caddow on a joint team-best six rebounds.

Now heading into an extended break either side of Christmas, the Thunder will return to action at home in King Arena against UChicago on January 3 at 2:00 PM.