Georgetown, Texas - The Wheaton College women's basketball team played its first contest since December 10 on Wednesday night at the Southwestern University Holiday Classic. The Thunder defeated the host Southwestern Pirates, 71-58 in the tournament's opening round. Wheaton will face Trinity University in tournament action on Thursday night at 5 PM in the final night of the tournament.

The Thunder jumped out to an 18-7 lead with 8:20 left in the first half. The Pirates responded with 13 unanswered points to take a 20-18 lead with 4:15 left before halftime. Wheaton regained the lead just before the halftime intermission to hold a 28-25 lead at the break.

Thunder guard Lindsey Brenneman scored the first four points of the second half and Laura Karsten made a pair of three-point baskets as Wheaton scored the first 10 points after halftime to give the guests a 38-25 lead. Wheaton never relinquished its lead in the second half, holding its largest lead of the game a 13-point advantage on five different occasions in the half.

Brooke Olson led the Thunder with a game-high 19 points and team-best six assists. She also grabbed six rebounds and snatched five steals. Elisabeth Potts scored 17 points. Karsten added 14 points, with a team-high nine rebounds. She also distributed four assists, with six steals. Brenneman scored nine points and Maris Hovee scored six points, with seven rebounds off the Thunder bench.

Jordan Owens led Southwestern with 16 points, while Annie Bourne added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Chelsea Leeder scored 11 points and Katelyn a contributed 10 points with six rebounds for the hosts. 

The Thunder shot 46% (29-63) from the field, with 36.8% (7-19) from three-point range and 30% (6-20) at the free throw line. Southwestern recorded a 32.7% (18-55) field goal percentage for the game, with 36.8% (7-19) from behind the three-point arc and 88.2% (15-17) at the charity stripe. Each team collected 40 rebounds, with the Thunder holding a 12-11 edge on the offensive glass.