The Aurora University women's basketball team hosted the No. 8 Wheaton College Thunder in the season opener Tuesday night in Thornton Gymnasium. AU fell to the nationally ranked Thunder 72-42.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  #8 Wheaton College 72, Aurora University 42
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1 ; Wheaton College 1-0
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the score was tied 4-4 three minutes into the first period, Wheaton used an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to open up a 15-4 lead.
Wheaton would lead 26-12 at the end of the first period.
AU kept the game close in the second period and trailed 42-24 at halftime.
The third period was closely played and AU trailed the visiting Thunder 58-38 after three periods.
Both teams got quality minutes for the reserves in the fourth with Wheaton winning by a 72-42 final.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
Bethany Dorrington led the Spartans with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Anna Roszkowski added nine rebounds on the night.
10 Spartans scored on the night with six players scoring their first points at AU.
 
FOR THE FOES
Hannah Considine led the Thunder with 15 points
Ellie Zeller had 14 points.
13 Thunder players scored on the night.
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan women's basketball team comes on Friday, November 20 when they travel to Webster University for a tip-off tournament. AU will take on Spalding University at 6:00 p.m. in St. Louis, Missouri.