Wheaton College outscored visiting Clarke College 13-3 in the final minutes of play Monday night en route to a 71-58 non-conference home win. A pair of Joquetta Rolle gifters with 5:48 left pulled the Crusaders within three at 58-55, but the host Thunder held the Crusaders to just three points the rest of the way.

Clarke scored the first five points of the contest and trailed by one with 4:42 left in the opening half, but Wheaton went on a 10-2 spurt to forge a 33-26 lead at the break.

Clarke trailed by one with just over 16 minutes to play on a Laura Gaylord three-point field goal. Wheaton extended the lead to 11 midway through the final period and the Crusaders could get no closer than three point after that.

Michelle Jamison led Clarke (1-7) with 16 points, while Laura Gaylord added 15. Rolle pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds.

Wheaton (3-2) was paced by Kathleen Fidelia's 20 points. Kelly Brooks added 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, while Jamie Jones chipped in 13 points and had 11 rebounds.

Wheaton won the battle on the boards, 50-38.

Clarke will open Midwest Collegiate Conference play at home Wednesday, Dec. 3, hosting Ashford University at 6 p.m.

-CRUSADERS-