Wheaton (Ill.) 63, Carthage 60
KENOSHA, Wis. - Carthage battled from start to finish, weathering early scoring runs by Wheaton and staying within striking distance through consistent inside scoring and defensive effort. After trailing by nine at the end of the first quarter and facing a 17-point deficit in the third, the Firebirds steadily chipped away and refused to let the game get out of hand. Their resilience paid off with a strong fourth-quarter push, highlighted by timely baskets and clutch three-pointers that fueled late-game momentum. Although Carthage's comeback fell just short, the Firebirds showed determination and poise in a hard-fought 63–60 loss.



Wheaton College wasted no time starting off the scoring with an opening drive layup from Lilly Caddow. The Firebids got their first bucket off a Grace Cord layup assisted by Malia Green. Cord would make her second basket of the quarter to tie the game 4-4. From then on it was Wheaton who led the way out scoring the Firebirds 11-4, until Green hit back to back layups to close the gap to within 5. A late in the quarter foul against Carthage gave Wheaton a lead of nine points to end the first quarter (14-8). 

The second quarter was a battle on both sides with both teams exchanging field goals. Green once again hit back to back layups to close the gap to five early in the quarter. However two timely three pointers from Grace Kizer and Paige Ferwerda helped to extend Wheaton's lead to nine. After a nearly two minute scoring drought Delaney Elsmore hit a floater to close the gap 26-18. In the seventh minute of the second quarter Nora Ahram got involved in the scoring for the Firebirds with a pair of free throws (26-20). Each team exchanged field goals to make the score 28-22 at the half. 

Ahram kicked off the second half for the Firebirds with a three point from down low to make the game within five. From there it was a back to back FG battle making the score 35-30 in Wheaton's favor. A 12 point run by Wheaton would help them extend their lead to 17. Mallory Winters broke a 13 point scoring run with a quick layup assisted by Whitney Thompson. A momentum shift for the 'Birds arose with another layup from Alyssa Orozco along with a late foul brought the score to 50-35. The scoring didn't stop there for the Firebirds. Orozco hit two free throws along with a timely steal and layup from Green brought the score within 10. (50-40).

For the first time this game Carthage kicked off the scoring with a pair of free throws from Winters. The next 2 minutes were all Wheaton, Jenna Hunter hit three timely layups to extend her team's lead to 13. Back to back layups from Cord and Green as well as a three pointer from Green would quickly bring the Firebirds back to within six of the Thunder in the fourth minute. Carthage continued to turn on the gas with an Ahram three pointer from down low to make the score 56-53. Some timely shots by the Thunder would extend their lead to make the score 62-56 putting a pause on the Firebirds' ten point scoring run. However, an Elsmore three pointer would put her team within three with 30 seconds left in the game. The final score of the game had the Thunder on top with a score of 63-60. 


 

• Malia Green - 18 points, 3 steals
• Nora Ahram - 12 points, 3 steals
• Grace Cord - 12 points, 6 rebounds
• Alyssa Orozco - 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists

The Firebirds (4-6, 0-3 CCIW) return to Tarble Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 16 as the Firebirds host St. Norbert at 6 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.