RIPON, Wis. - If someone is a fan of defense, then Tuesday night was their kind of game. In a contest that featured a combined 22 steals and seven blocked shots, Wheaton walked away with a 55-40 victory over Ripon College, after the Thunder stepped their 'D' up a notch late in the game.

Ripon (3-2) fell behind early, but stayed within arm's lenth for the majority of the first half. The Red Hawks never trailed by more than six points. The Red Hawks were able to stay in the game, thanks to thier defense, as they forced Wheaton (3-3) to shoot 32 percent from the floor in the half. The Thunder took their largest lead of the half with 14 seconds left when Kathleen Fidelia nailed a three-pointer from the corner. Ripon answered right back at the other end when freshman Jessica Goudreau threw up a three-point shot at the buzzer, touching nothing but the bottom of the net. That shot gave the Red Hawks the momentum they needed, as Ripon went into the locker room trailing by three.

The Red Hawks began the second half much like they ended the first, making their first four shots of the half, and taking their first lead of the ball game. Ripon would go up by as much as seven points, on a Sara Gustafson layup with under 16 minutes to play. Wheaton answered back however, scoring seven consecutive points to tie the game. After Wheaton tied the game again, at 35, Ripon went colder than the North Pole. The Red Hawks managed just two field goals in the final 10 minutes, as they were outscored 20-5 to end the game. Ripon shot just 23 percent (8-35) in the second half.

Gustafson was the only player in double figures for the Red Hawks, scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The senior also added five rebounds. Mona Delsman, who was saddled with foul trouble for much of the second half, scored seven points, while also recording three rebounds and two steals. JoEllen Buerger scored six points off the bench.

Wheaton was led by Jill Trenz, who seemed to do it all at times for the Thunder. Trenz recorded game-highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while also collecting three steals and four blocked shots. Trenz shot 8-of-11 from the field. Fidelia finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and four steals, while Elizabeth Fox chipped in with 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

The Red Hawks will try to rebound this weekend, as they'll open their conference season. Ripon hosts Knox College at 5:00 Friday night, before taking on Illinois College at 2:00 on Saturday in Storzer Center.