Wheaton, Ill. - The Thunder women's basketball team returned from a week hiatus with a 71-35 rout of Augustana on Saturday night in King Arena. Wheaton held the Vikings to just 25% shooting from the field in an impressive defensive effort. With the win, Wheaton concludes the regular season with a record of 22-3 overall and a 12-2 record in conference play. Augustana finishes the year 9-16 and 3-11 in the CCIW. Wheaton will host the CCIW Tournament next weekends with the semifinals beginning on Friday night.

Wheaton shot 52% (26-50) from the field and connected on 64.3% (9-14) of their three-point attempts. Wheaton shot just 52.6% (10-19) from the free throw line. The Vikings were held to 25% (14-56) from the field and the three-point line (4-16). Augustana made all three of its free throw attempts. Wheaton outrebounded Augie 39-32 and forced 11 turnovers while committing just seven of their own.

Augustana jumped out to a quick lead of 11-5 over the first five minutes before a 13-0 Thunder run over a span of five minutes gave Wheaton a lead it would not surrender. Katie McDaniels (PICTURED RIGHT) spearheaded the Thunder run, scoring six of her 10 points during the run. Wheaton held Augie scoreless for the final 5:47 of the first half to take a 34-19 edge into the intermission.

Wheaton systematically pulled away throughout the second half, extending the lead to its largest margin when Abby Dorman hit a jumper with 1:13 to play to account for the final 71-35 spread. Wheaton outscored the Vikings 37-16 over the final 20 minutes.

Chantal Meacham led all scorers with 15 points, connecting on all five of her three-point attempts. Her final three-pointer established a new single season school record for made three-pointers with 68. Brooke Olsen previously held the record of 67 from the 2012-13 season.

Katie McDaniels scored 10 points with six assists and four rebounds. Hannah Considine registered a full stat line with 10 points, nine rbounds and five blocks and NatalieRose Brogan also finished with 10 points. Marissa Pezzopane led the Vikings with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Wheaton will open its participation in the 2015 CCIW Tournament on Friday, February 27 at 7 PM, when the Thunder host Carthage. North Central will face Elmhurst at 5 PM in the other semifinal matchup. The winners will tipoff at 7 PM on Saturday, February 28 in the Championship game.

Note Worthy: With her nine rebounds tonight, Hannah Considine became the 25th player in program history with 400 career rebounds...with her fifth three-pointer of the night Chantal Meacham tied Lynnea Kvam for ninth place on the career three-point list with 113.