WHEATON, Ill. – The Carroll University women's basketball team's strong first quarter set the tone for the game as they went on to defeat the Wheaton Thunder 71-49 in King Arena. Olivia Rangel and Brooke Foster both scored 13 points, while Foster came away with six steals and three assists.
 
The Pioneers (11-6, 6-2 CCIW) forced 22 Wheaton turnovers from 15 steals and scored 22 points off said turnovers. Natalie Gricius scored 11 of the bench's 27 points. Carroll shot over 48% from the floor and made 6-17 three-point baskets in the victory. Foster was responsible for four of the team's threes. The Pois out-rebounded the Thunder in a category once dominated by Wheaton, 38-33. Allison Thompson hauled in a team-high nine rebounds, all of which were defensive boards.
 
Wheaton had the two-point advantage at the first media timeout with an 8-6 lead. After the break, Gricius nailed a three-pointer that kicked off a Pioneer 13-2 run to end the quarter. Thompson went to the line twice and went 4-4 in her attempts. Foster gave Carroll a double-digit three with her second three-pointer of the night just over midway through the second quarter. After the Thunder scored two consecutive baskets, Foster responded with another three ball that started a 9-0, first-half-ending run. Carroll led by 17 going into the break, 33-16. The Pio defense held Wheaton to 27.6% shooting in the first half with no three-pointers.
 
Rangel hit a two-pointer outside the paint and was fouled in the process to earn a three-point play. Her made free throw pushed Carroll's lead to 20 points early in the third quarter. Wheaton had worked the Pioneer lead down to 16 after a few turnovers, but Carroll responded and a 13-0 run led by five points from Rangel. Carroll went into the final quarter up 25 points.
 
Foster gave Carroll a 28-point lead, the largest of the game, with her 10^th point in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. Gricius scored six in the final quarter, knocking down 4-4 free throws as well.
 
The Pioneers have a bye weekend and will start the second half of the CCIW at home on Wednesday, January 25 at 7 PM against Carthage College. The Pioneers will play five of their final eight regular season games in Van Male Field House.