Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton College women's basketball team opened up CCIW play on Wednesday by hosting No. 16 ranked Carroll University (6-2, 1-0 CCIW). The Pioneers controlled play in the paint tonight in earning the 76-52 victory against the Thunder. Wheaton 3-5, 0-1 CCIW will host Elmhurst University on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in King Arena (PLEASE NOTE: The 2 PM start time for Saturday's women's basketball game to start a CCIW doubleheader is different from past seasons).

Freshman Paige Ferwerda tied for Wheaton's scoring lead tonight as she tallied a career-high 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, with two assists. Lauryn Ham also tallied 13 points, with three assists and three steals. Senior Grace Kizer scored eight points, with four rebounds. Lily Caddow tallied seven points with five rebounds and three assists.

The Thunder shot 40% (22-of-55) from the floor tonight, including 30.4% (7-of-23) from three-point range. The Pioneers posted a 48.4% (30-of-62) field goal percentage, including 40% (6-of-15) from three-point range. Carroll had a 58.5% (10-of-17) effort at the free throw line, while Wheaton shot 50% (1-for-2) at the charity stripe.

Wheaton had 24 turnovers to Carroll's 18 miscues as the Pioneers capitalized with a 27-11 advantage in points off turnovers. The Pioneers' advantage inside was shown as the guests had a 46-18 scoring advantage in the paint.
The Pioneers scored the first eight points tonight over the first three minutes of the game. Carroll's largest lead of the first quarter was a 12-point bulge at 14-2 with five minutes left in the quarter. Wheaton responded with a 13-5 run as the Thunder cut Carroll's lead to 19-15 at the end of the quarter. Carroll out-scored the Thunder 17-10 in the second quarter as the Pios held a 36-25 lead at halftime.

Kizer and Ham led the Thunder in first-half scoring with six points apiece. Natalie Gricius led Carroll's first-half effort with 11 points and five rebounds. Julia Lokker scored 10 points for the guests in the first half.

The guests gradually pulled away in the final two quarters to earn the 76-52 victory. Gricius and Lokker each scored 18 points to lead the Pioneers. Emilie Wizner scored 17 points with four assists. Gricius and Anna Nielsen each had a game-high seven rebounds.