Meghan Merklein scored 18 points and Megan Ney added 16 to lead the Elmhurst College women's basketball team to a 74-60 victory over Wheaton College at R.A. Faganel Hall.

Elmhurst improved to 3-3 in the CCIW and 8-9 overall with the win.

After struggling with its shooting for the past three contests, Elmhurst shot 45.9 percent from the floor, and connected on a season-high eight three-pointers (8-of-17 for 47.1 percent). Elmhurst also shot 90.9 percent (10-of-11) from the foul line and outrebounded the Thunder by 10.

With the score knotted at 26-26 in the first half, the Bluejays used a 13-5 run to open up a 39-31 advantage at the half. 

Elmhurst quickly opened up a double-digit lead in the second half and never allowed Wheaton (11-5, 4-2 CCIW) to get closer than seven points. The Bluejays opened up a commanding 17-point lead and cruised to the 74-60 win. 

Merklein poured in a game-high 18 points while shooting 7-of-11 from the

floor. Ney added 16 points and a team-leading seven rebounds. Kelsey Monroe knocked down three treys and totaled 14 points and six rebounds. Stephanie Mitchell came off the bench to score eight for the Bluejays.

Wheaton shot only 32.2 percent (19-of-59) from the floor, including 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from downtown. The Thunder hit 18-of-26 free throw attempts (69.2 percent). 

Wheaton was led by Laura Karsten's 13-point, seven-rebound performance. Brooke Olson added 12 points and Annie Bowen scored nine for Wheaton.

Elmhurst will look for its third straight win when they travel to North Central College on Tuesday, January 25.