Wheaton 60, Carthage 57
KENOSHA - The Carthage women's basketball hosted the Wheaton Thunder on Saturday afternoon in Tarble Arena. It was a special day for the Firebirds as the team celebrated Senior Day by recognizing Emma Carlson, Elena Knebel, Marianna Morrissey, Emma Thistle, Grace Wamser and Maeve Wojcik. In the game, the Firebirds got off to a slow start offensively before coming up short in the final seconds of the game. 



The Firebirds won the opening jump and earned a quick basket from a layup by Malia Green. The Thunder went on a 6-0 run, before a layup from Morrissey cut the deficit to 6-4. The two teams traded points the rest of the quarter, with the Thunder holding a 17-11 lead. Morrissey led the way with seven points for the Firebirds.

Both teams got off to a slow start in the second quarter, with the first point coming on a Thunder free throw almost three minutes into the quarter. The Firebirds responded with a three from Green, cutting the deficit to 18-14 with 6:13 to play in the half. The Thunder pushed the lead to 20-14 but a 5-0 run for Morrissey brought the Firebirds back within one. A three-point play extended Wheaton's lead to four, and a basket from Morrissey in the final seconds ended the half with the Firebirds trailing 23-21. Morrissey finished with 14 points in the first half.

Thistle opened the second half with a basket to tie the game at 23-23. The Thunder went on a 5-0 run to once again build a small lead, before a three from Thistle moved the scoreboard to 28-26 in favor of the Thunder. Another 5-0 run for the Thunder extended the lead to seven points with seven minutes to go in the quarter. A free throw and a three pointer for Thistle brough the Firebirds within three points. A four point scoring run for Green gave the Firebirds the lead and a layup from Grace Cord brought the score to 36-33 in favor of Carthage. A basket from Morrissey built the lead to five and a late run by the Thunder tied the game at 40-40 to end the period. Thistle led the way with eight points in the quarter.

Thistle gave the Firebirds a 42-40 lead with a pair of free throws early in the fourth quarter. A five-point run for the Thunder put the visiting squad back in front for less than a minute before a three from Morrissey tied the game at 45-45 with 7:19 to play. A three from Alyssa orozco put the Firebirds on top 48-45 until a four-point run for Wheaton flipped the score to 49-48. The Thunder held a 57-54 lead with 21 seconds to go when Thistle was fouled on a three point attempt. The senior drained all three free throws to tie the game. On their final possession, the Thunder scored on a layup attempt and drew the and-one foul with three seconds left on the clock. After a made free throw, the Thunder held a three-point lead and missed three point attempt to force overtime from Thistle ended the game in favor of the Thunder.


 

• Morrissey led the way with 21 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
• Thistle finished with 16 points, five assists, two blocks, and two steals.

The Firebirds (16-7, 8-6 CCIW) return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 19 as Carthage heads to Elmhurst to take on the Bluejays at 7 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.