Wheaton, Ill. – The Carroll University Pioneers women's basketball team started off dominant against the No. 14 Wheaton College Thunder, but went cold in the final frame, falling 68-57. Theresa Wichser finished with 12 points on 4-6 3PM, Kate Christian collected six rebounds, four assists, and eight points.
 
The Pioneers (5-3, 5-3 CCIW) showed signs of dominance in quarters one and three, shooting 61.5% and 40.0% from the field, respectively, but went cold in the second and fourth quarters, shooting 23.1% and 33.3%. The Thunder took advantage by getting hot after a slow first quarter and remained consistent the remainder of the game. The Pioneers turned the ball over 22 times, giving Wheaton 21 points.
 
The Pioneers started the game on a 15-0 tear, including two three-pointers from Wichser and one from Kayla Stefka (10 PTS, 3 REB). The Thunder brought the lead down to just nine, but Brooke Foster connected on a three-pointer to bring the lead back to double digits. Wichser nailed her third three-pointer of the quarter to go up 23-8 after one. Wheaton quickly began making shots, starting the second quarter on an 11-3 run. Katie Evans (8 PTS, 2 STL) ended the three-minute Pio drought, but Wheaton continued to hit. The Thunder finished on an 11-2 run shooting 9-19 for the quarter, with the Pioneers surrendering eight turnovers.
 
Christian opened the second half with a layup, but a quick seven-point turnaround by the Thunder forced Carroll to call a timeout. Wichser connected on another shot from behind the line to cut the lead to one. Elizabeth Berhndt (7 PTS, 4 REB) made her first basket of the game to give the Pios a three-point lead with 5:31 left in the quarter. The Pioneers thought they had a three-point lead going into the final quarter, but a Wheaton shot from behind the line fell with :02 reaming, leaving both teams tied at 50. Wheaton steadily gained the lead over the first five minutes of the final quarter in an 11-2 scoring difference. Behrndt cut the lead to seven with 3:42 remaining, but a Thunder three with 2:37 left quickly put the game out of reach. The Pioneers were only able to make three baskets in the final quarter.
 
The Pioneers host the No. 14 team in the nation on Saturday in Van Male Field House at 2 PM. Kayla Stefka finished with a team-high 14 points with eight free-throws the last time the Thunder visited Carroll.