Wheaton College skates into CCIW final
Wheaton College senior women's basketball player Chantal Meacham was named after fellow Champaign resident Chantal Bailey, an outdoor speedskater in the 1994 Winter Olympics.
"I didn't really live up to the speedskating thing, but basketball's OK," Meacham said.
Meacham actually is pretty quick releasing 3-point shots. And making them.
On Friday she had five as part of the Thunder's offensive clinic. Wheaton coasted past Augustana College 96-66 in the semifinals of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament at King Arena in Wheaton.
Wheaton (22-4), the No. 1 seed, goes after its third straight tournament title at 7 p.m. Saturday against No. 2 Illinois Wesleyan University (18-8), which edged No. 3 Elmhurst College 63-62. The winner receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
"I think it's just thinking that this could possibly be our last game. We're not ready for it to end so each shot is such an important shot," said the 5-foot-8 Meacham, Wheaton's all-time leader in 3s with 234.
"That's what my dad taught me. I've been short all of my life so when you're playing against taller players, you've got to be able to get it off quick."
Senior Katie McDaniels had 24 points and 5 assists to set the school's record. Meacham had 17 points, junior Maggie Dansdill (WW South) had 15 points and 5 rebounds, junior Kelly Lawson had 14 points and sophomore Devin Kyler had 7 assists and 6 points.
The Thunder made 16 of its first 22 shots with five 3s to lead 37-21 early in the second quarter.
By halftime they were in front 54-39 on 22-of-35 shooting. They finished with their third highest regulation total this season at the expense of the Vikings (17-9) in their first CCIW Tournament appearance since the first one in 2003.
"It was a really good half because of the quality of competition," Wheaton coach Kent Madsen said. "The great thing was the fact that we had 26 assists (on 36 field goals). It just shows how much we're sharing the ball and trying to work together. That's what I love about this team. They're extremely unselfish."
Speaking of assists, McDaniels' pass to Dansdill for a baseline jumper and 47-29 lead in the second quarter broke the previous school assist record of 463 by Kerry Cole.
Wheaton had four players in double figures by their opening possessions of the second half. Dansdill converted a three-point play off a Meacham pass and Lawson took a Kyler pass and hit a jumper for a 59-42 lead.
Players were hardly aware of the all-CCIW team released earlier in the day. McDaniels again was named Most Outstanding Player to become Wheaton's first player to receive the honor twice since its 1987 inception. Lawson made the first team for the first time, and Meacham and Kyler were on the second team.
"The wins are all that matters," Lawson said.
"I think we're just ready for the postseason and just excited to keep going. We just play for the seniors because they've put so much into the program and team and each one of us. We want to keep it going for them."
The Thunder beat IWU 76-67 Tuesday at King Arena after losing 66-65 Jan. 7 in Bloomington. Wheaton has won the previous two tournaments on its home court, including 92-70 over IWU in 2016.
"The outcomes will take care of itself if you play hard and do the right things and make the big plays," Madsen said. "I'm pleased with where we're at, playing in the championship game, and I'm sure glad it's at home."
Elmhurst junior Mikaela Eppard was unanimous first-team all-CCIW and junior Kaela Jones was second team.
Eppard had 16 points and 17 rebounds Friday and Hannah Lipman had 12 points. With the Bluejays (19-7) trailing 63-60, Jones missed a 3-pointer with five seconds left and Lipman scored on a putback. They were unable to take a last-second shot after the Titans missed two free throws with 2.6 seconds.