Dubuque, Iowa – The Wheaton Thunder women's basketball team earned a 75-51 victory at Clarke University on Saturday afternoon. Today's win extends Wheaton's win streak to seven games as the Thunder improves to 8-1 on the year. Wheaton, ranked 16th in the most recent D3hoops.com Top-25 poll, will return to action on December 31 when the Thunder returns to Dubuque, Iowa to take on Loras College.
A brief 3-2 lead was Clarke's only advantage of the contest today as Wheaton responded with 14-4 scoring run to increase Wheaton's 16-7 with 10:30 remaining in the first half. The Thunder led by as many as 15 points in the first half and held a 34-23 lead at halftime of the contest. The stingy Thunder defense held the Crusaders to an 18.8% (6-32) field goal percentage in the first half.
Wheaton continued to increase its lead in the second half. The Thunder led by as many as 26 points in the second half, the final time coming in a 75-46 lead with 28-seconds left in regulation.
Sophomore Ellie Zeller and freshman Katie Daniels each scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Thunder. McDaniels added four assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Chantal Meacham scored 11 points, making three three-pointers. Maris Hovee scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds. Moriah Reeves tallied six points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Wheaton shot 43.9% (29-66) from the field in the game, with 26.3% (5-19) from behind the three-point arc and 70.6% (12-17) at the free throw line. Clarke shot a 27.4% (17-62) field goal percentage, with 15.4% (2-13) from three-point range and 65.2% (15-23) at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the Crusaders 46-42, with Clarke holding a 13-11 edge on the offensive glass.