Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton Thunder women's basketball team (16-4, 9-2 CCIW) earned its 10th-consecutive victory on Wednesday night with a 54-35 win at home against Carthage College (14-6, 7-4 CCIW). Wheaton blocked 19 shots tonight to set a new school single-game record; and the effort by the Thunder is most in a women's basketball game by any NCAA program (all Divisions) this season.
Thunder senior Kelly Lawson led all players with 11 points, and she added six rebounds. Kristi Demski scored nine points with a trio of three-pointers. Maggie Dansdill scored eight points, with eight rebounds.
Jill Berg collected 10 rebounds, with eight blocked shots and six points. Jordan Myroth, Hannah Frazier and Jennifer Berg each contributed six points. Frazier added three blocked shots Devin Kyler grabbed 11 rebounds, with four assists and three blocked shots.
Wheaton scored the game's first eight points as the Thunder led the Lady Reds 19-4 at the conclusion of the first quarter. The Thunder defense held Carthage to just one field goal in the opening quarter.
Wheaton's largest lead of the first half was its 20-point halftime advantage as the hosts led 31-11 at the intermission.
The Thunder maintained a lead of 20 or more points throughout the entire third quarter as the hosts led 46-24 at the conclusion of the quarter. Wheaton largest lead of the game was a 27-point bulge at 53-26 with 4:57 remaining in the game as Wheaton rolled to the 54-35 victory.
Wheaton posted a 32.3% (21-of-65) field goal percentage, including 26.1% (6-of-23) from three-point range. Carthage shot 18.8% (12-of-64) from the field, including 19% (4-for-21) behind the three-point arc. The Thunder shot 50% (6-of-12) at the free throw line tonight and Carthage had an 87.5% (7-of-8) effort at the charity stripe. Wheaton out-rebounded the Lady Reds 53-45, including an 18-16 edge on the offensive glass.
Sammie Woodward led Carthage with eight points as Bailey Gilbert and Madie Kaelber each scored six points for the guests. Morgan Harris collected a team-high 10 rebounds and Rachel Szydlowski grabbed eight boards.
Wheaton puts its 10-game win streak on the line Saturday night as the Thunder hosts Elmhurst at 5:00 p.m. in a key CCIW matchup.