Carthage 63, Wheaton (Ill.) 52
WHEATON, Ill. - The Carthage women's basketball team traveled to Illinois on Wednesday evening for a CCIW matchup against the Wheaton Thunder. The Firebirds utilized a strong first half to build a lead that would carry the squad to its third straight victory of 10 points or more.



The Firebirds scored first to open the game with a layup from Grace Cord. Jenna Hunter responded immediately, getting the Thunder on the scoreboard in the team's first possession of the game. A pair of three-point baskets from Alyssa Orozco and Nora Ahram propelled the Firebirds to an early 8-2 lead before a 7-4 run led by Malia Green extended the Carthage lead to 15-6 with 3:23 to play in the period. The Firebirds would hold a 17-10 lead at the end of the quarter. Cord led the way with six points in the quarter.

The Thunder struck first in the second quarter with a layup from Lydia Brogan. Orozco answered right after to keep the Carthage lead at seven points before Cord extended the lead to 21-12 with 8:17 left in the first half. A three from Chloe Kostka cut the Thunder's deficit to six points, however a 9-0 run for the Firebirds would expand the lead before the half as the team held a 30-17 cushion heading into the break. Orozco led the Firebirds in the second quarter with four points, while Cord led the squad with eight points in the first half.

Whitney Thompson got the Firebirds offense rolling in the third quarter with back-to-back threes to extend the lead to 19 points. A pair of free throws from Orozco and jumpers from Mallory Winters and Green boosted the lead to 42-17 with 3:46 remaining in the period. A three from Wheaton's Lauryn Ham ended a scoring drought that lasted nearly eight minutes for the Thunder going back to the second quarter. The Firebirds ended the quarter holding a 49-27 lead following a 10-7 run for the Thunder in the final 3:33 of the quarter. Green led the team with seven points in the quarter.

The two squads traded baskets to open the fourth quarter. The Thunder tried to make a late comeback by going on a 13-3 run in the final four minutes, however the deficit proved to be too great as the Firebirds claimed the 11 point victory.


 

• Grace Cord - 14 points*, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 assists, 5-8 FG*
• Alyssa Orozco - 12 points, 6 assists*, 5 rebounds
• Malia Green - 12 points, 9 rebounds*

*led team in stat category



"A crucial conference road win!" said Head Coach Megan Jones. "Really proud of our team's ability to set the tone from the jump. We were playing fast and aggressive early and it really set the tone for the entire game. We need to take better care of the ball down the stretch but we did what we needed to do to win the game.  We'll get back to work tomorrow to prepare for another big game on Saturday. We have to protect our home court and would love to see a packed Tarble Arena on Saturday!"



The Firebirds (11-9, 5-6 CCIW) return to Tarble Arena on Saturday, Feb. 7 as the team celebrates Senior Day against Millikin. Action begins at 2 p.m. and will be streamed live on the CCIW Network. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.