Dubuque, Iowa- The #15-ranked Wheaton women's basketball team closed the 2013 calendar season and the nonconference portion of its schedule with a 76-66 victory at Loras College on Tuesday afternoon. The victory was Wheaton's eighth straight as the Thunder prepare for its conference opener Saturday night at Millikin University at 5 PM. With the win, Wheaton improves to 9-1 on the season while the Duhawks of Loras fall to 5-5 on the season.

Wheaton shot 26-58 (44.8%) from the field and 4-14 (28.6%) from the three-point line. The Thunder was 20-28 (71.4%) from the free throw line. The Duhawks shot 22-65 (33.8%) from the field and 6-19 (31.6%) from the three-point line. Loras shot just 16-23 (69.6%) from the free throw line.

The opening half was a back and forth affair in the early going with both teams searching for form following long layoffs since their previous games. Despite a 10-4 decifict five minutes into the game, Wheaton ran off 11 straight points to take a 15-10 lead at the 12:12 mark of the first half. The run was highlighted by a pair of three-pointers by Chantal Meachem (PICTURED RIGHT).

Loras was able to remain within five points until the Thunder used a late six-point run to bounce its lead to 12 at 40-28 on a lay-up by Maria Panaggio with 1:24 left in the half. Loras added a late lay-up to cut the halftime lead to 40-30 in favor of the Thunder.

The hosts opned the second half with an 18-5 run to cut the lead down to one possession at 48-45 with 11:38 left. The Duhawks later cut the lead to two points but Wheaton responded with a 10-0 run to put the lead back up to 12 at 60-48. Panaggio started the run with four of the first six unasnwered points.

Wheaton was able to hold a comfortable lead throughout the remainder of the contest, leading by as many as 14 points en route to the 76-66 victory.

Katie McDaniels led the Thunder with 19 points thanks to an 11-15 performance from the free throw line. Maria Panaggio scored a career high 16 points and Moriah Reeves added 12 points. Despite playing with foul trouble, Maris Hovee filled the stat sheet with five points, two rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals. along with Hovee, McDaniels and Ellie Zeller also had five assists.

Katie Langmeier led all players with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Victoria May also recorded a double-double for the Duhawks with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Wheaton will next be in action on saturday night at 5 PM when the Thunder travel to Decatur, Illinois to take on the Millikin Big Blue in a battle of the two winningest programs in CCIW history.