WHEATON, Ill. — The Wheaton College women's basketball team utilized a huge third quarter run to blast past North Park University 55-39 on Saturday afternoon.
The Thunder improved to 7-10 on the season and 3-5 in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW). The Vikings dropped to 5-13 overall and 1-8 in conference play.
Both teams struggled offensively in a closely-contested first half. Wheaton made 30 percent of its shots while North Park only shot 20 percent. The visitors led late in the first quarter until sophomore Lauryn Ham tied things up at 8-8 with a jumper.
In the second quarter, junior Jenna Hunter made an impact in the post with six points to keep the Thunder neck and neck with the Vikings. Senior Kate Oliver got the home side back on top in the final seconds of the half by scoring through contact for a three-point play to make it 19-17.
The Thunder's efficiency picked up dramatically in the second half — the offense made over 50 percent of their baskets. In the opening four minutes of the third quarter, Wheaton embarked on a 14-0 run to seize control of the contest. Junior Petra Trumbach capped the streak with a layup to increase the lead to 33-17. A pair of treys by senior Grace Kizer and Ham, along with two Hunter free throws, gave Wheaton a 41-23 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The lead remained in double digits for the rest of the game as the Thunder cruised to the win.
The one-two punch of Hunter and Oliver were responsible for 67 percent of the squad's total points. Hunter scored 19 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. Oliver tallied 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals. Kizer added seven points, five rebounds and two blocks.
The Thunder shot 41 percent from the field, 27 percent from three point range (3-11), and 80 percent from the free-throw line (8-10). While the hosts trailed in rebounds 36-34, they won the points in the paint category decisively 36-20. Wheaton committed fewer turnovers (22-17), while snagging twice as many steals (12-6).
The Vikings were limited to 28 percent shooting on field goals and 20 percent shooting on three-pointers (2-10), while converting 87 percent of their free throws (7-8).
Wheaton resumes league play on the road at Elmhurst University on Wednesday, January 28 at 7 p.m.
