Wheaton, Ill.- The Wheaton women's basketball team opened the 2013 calendar year and the CCIW schedule with a 66-62 victory over defending National Champion Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday night. Wheaton led by as many as 19 with 6:15 remaining only to have their lead cut to three in the final minute, but were able to ice the game from the free throw line and hold off the Titan charge.  The victory was Wheaton's 14th straight at King Arena.

Leading by a score of 59-40 with 6:15 remaining, the Titans ran off a 19-4 run to cut the lead to just four points with 1:27 remaining after a three-pointer by Colleen McMahon. McMahon led all scorers with 25 points. A pair of free throws by #Brooke Olson# pushed the lead back to six, but a three by Katy Seibring cut the lead down to 65-62 with :48 remaining.  Wheaton was able to hold off the Titans and a free throw by #Maris Hovee# with 2.9 seconds left put the game out of reach and accounted for the final score of 66-62.

Wheaton opened the game with deficits of 5-0 and 13-9 before running off an 11-0 run to take a 20-13 run with 9:49 left in the first half. On the run, Wheaton forced four straight turnovers while connecting on three-point attempts by Breanna Bohlen and Jenn Lee.

Wheaton pushed the lead to double-digits twice in the first half on baskets by Ellie Zeller and Moriah Reeves but a three-pointer by Michelle Bilek with a second left in the first half cut the deficit to 31-24 at halftime.

Illinois Wesleyan cut the lead to six before Wheaton methodically pulled away to extend the lead to as many as 19 points before the Titans made their lade charge.

Wheaton shot 46.4% (25-56) from the field but struggled from deep shooting just 14.3% (2-14).  The Thunder was 12-20 (60%) from the free throw line.

Illinois Wesleyan shut 30.9% (21-68) from the field and 26.9% (7-26) from beyond the arc while hitting at an 86.7% (13-15) clip from the charity stripe.

Hannah Considine recorded her first career double-double for the Thunder finishiing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Hovee completed the night with 15 rebounds to go with seven points, two assists, four blocks and a steal. Brooke Olson had 16 points to lead the Thunder.