Chicago, Ill. – The Wheaton women's basketball team used a strong second half to pick up a 72-62 victory at North Park University on Saturday afternoon. Wheaton is now 15-5 overall and 8-2 in CCIW play. The Thunder has won four consecutive games and 10 of its last 12. The Thunder will host Augustana on Tuesday night at 7:30 PM.

The Vikings led for the majority of the first half, including a 35-28 lead for the hosts at halftime.  North Park led by 11 at 41-30 with 17:24 remaining in the game when the Thunder  came alive with a 22-3 scoring run over a span of about seven minutes that gave the guests a 52-44 lead with 10 minutes left in regulation. Once Wheaton had gained the lead its advantage was never less than five points and was as much as 16 points late in the second half.

Junior Lindsey Brenneman led the Thunder with 21 points, with a trio of three-point field goals in the game. She added five assists and three steals. Laura Karsten scored 14 points, on 5-for-8 shooting from the field, including three three-pointers.  She tied for the team lead with six rebounds and added five assists. Annie Bowen and Kelly Brooks each scored 11 points, as Brooks grabbed six rebounds and Bowen added four caroms.

Roxanne Jones led North Park with 18 points and eight rebounds. Sarah Peterson and Dana Christensen each scored 17 points for the hosts.

Wheaton shot 41.1% (23-56) from the field in the game, with 57.1% (8-14) from three-point range and 78.3% (18-23) at the free throw line. The Vikings posted a 38.6% (22-57) field goal percentage, with 47.1% (from behind the three-point line and 83.3% (10-12) at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the Vikings 38-32, with a 14-11 edge on the offensive glass. The Thunder made the Most of North Park's 17 turnovers as Wheaton out-scored the hosts in points off of turnovers 24-11.