The Thunder from Wheaton (8-3) nailed six of their first nine shots, including four 3-pointers, to build an early 18-4 advantage.
They finished half shooting 12-22 (7-11, 3fg) to lead 43-31.
During the second half, the Thunder built their lead to as much as 18-points (51-33) on a jumper by Johnnie Standard (Springfield, III./Glenwood) with 15:58 left.
The Bearcats slowly chipped away to cut the deficit to just four points (63-59) with 5:37 left on a jumper by Adrian Serrano (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King).
Wheaton responded following a time with an 8-4 run, highlighted on a 3-pointer by Standard, to go back up, 71-63. That was enough to eventually hold on for the 75-66 victory.
Carl Emengo (Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie) led the Bearcats with 26 points, while Serrano finished with 14 points.
John Mohan (Norwell, Mass./Norwell) and Standard each scored 15 points for the visiting Thunder.
The men’s basketball team will next resume their conference schedule this upcoming Saturday with a Noon tip off at CCNY.