Wheaton Takes Home Tournament Title in Women's Basketball

WHEATON, Ill. – After winning the regular season title and earning the right to host the conference tournament, the Wheaton Thunder put forth a solid effort on its home court in a 74-60 win over Illinois Wesleyan Saturday to give the Thunder the CCIW tournament title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Wheaton's 11-3 record during the regular season designates the Thunder as the "conference champion" for 2005-06.

Wheaton’s Elizabeth Fox, a first team all conference selection, led her team with 22 points, while second team all conference pick Jill Trenz and third team all conference pick Brittany Cooper each chipped in 10 points.

CCIW Player of the Year Heidi Harnisch and teammate Claire Sheehan each scored 10 apiece for Illinois Wesleyan, while Katie Blonn led the way with 16.

The win was Wheaton’s second in the four-year history of the CCIW Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Thunder’s last win in the tournament championship came in a 74-49 victory over Millikin in 2004.

After the game, the 2006 all conference team was announced with Harnisch taking home player of the year honors, while Wheaton coach Beth Baker was named coach of the year. Joining Fox and Harnisch on the first team were Laura Mount from North Park, Lindsay Ippel from Millikin and Aja Terrier from Elmhurst.