Wheaton tops Carthage 57-53 in game one of CCIW Women's Basketball Tournament

WHEATON, Ill. -- Tournament host and No. 1 seed Wheaton earned a place in the championship game of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Basketball Tournament with a 57-53 win over No. 4 seed Carthage on Friday.

Wheaton's Elizabeth Fox broke a 47-47 tie with a wide-open three-pointer with 1:21 left that gave the Thunder a 50-47 lead. Fox extended the lead to 52-47 on a pair of free throws during her team's next trip down the court.

Kristina Dredge of Carthage had a put-back and free throw with 13 seconds left to cut the Wheaton lead to 55-53. Two Kathleen Fidelia free throws with 10 seconds left extended the Thunder lead to 57-53 for the game's final score.

Fox led the Thunder with 15 points, while Fidelia had 12. Erika Bucholz led Carthage with 14 points, while Carlie Janowiak and Katie Jarger each had 10.