Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton women's basketball team utilized strong three-point shooting and a good contribution at the free throw line to earn a 68-56 win at home against Millikin University on Wednesday. Wheaton improves to 8-6 on the year and 1-2 in CCIW play and will host North Central on Saturday at 6 PM.

Wheaton made a season-high 12 three-pointers in the game, with 12 of its 19 total field goals in the game coming from behind the three-point arc. Wheaton shot 48% (12-25) from behind the arc and posted a 33.9% (19-56) field goal percentage in the game. The Thunder also made 18 of its 27 free throw attempts (67%), for the second-highest free throw tally (18) of the season for the 'Orange and Blue'.

A field goal and free throw conversion by Millikin gave the Big Blue a 23-17 lead with 3:05 left in the first half. A three-pointer by Wheaton's Brooke Olson sparked a 10-0 scoring run for the Thunder to close out the first half, as the Thunder led 27-23 at the intermission. Olson's three-pointer was joined by seven points from Elisabeth Potts to account for the critical run.

The opening 11 minutes of the second half was tightly contested with each team holding a lead, but neither squad had a lead greater than five points. A Millikin three-pointer with 7:15 left in the game tied the contest at 49-49, however, Wheaton responded 10 unanswered points to take a 59-49 lead with 3:49 remaining in the game. Potts, Olson and Lindsey Brenneman each made a three-pointer in the hosts' 10-point scoring surge. Millikin could get no closer than seven points of the Thunder and Wheaton closed out the 68-56 victory.

Brenneman made five three-pointers in the game as she scored a game-high 23 points. Potts scored 20 points, with three trifectas in the game. The senior grabbed 10 rebounds, including five offensive boards for the second career double-double" of her career with double digits in both points and rebounds. Olson scored 10 points, with six assists. Maris Hovee contributed a defensive spark off the Thunder bench with eight rebounds, three steals and a career-high seven blocked shots. Laura Karsten grabbed nine rebounds, with five assists and three steals

Crystal Zeigler led Millikin with 20 points and eight rebounds. Nikki Tipsword contributed nine points and 12 rebounds off of the Big Blue bench. Cecily Aldridge and Olya Cholewick each scored seven points for Millikin.