McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team concluded their regular season with a victory over North Central College, securing a 67-55 win on Senior Night at the Shirk Center. This victory on February 17th marked the end of their regular season with an 18-7 overall record and a 14-2 standing in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. North Central finished with a 9-16 overall record and 7-9 in league play.

Senior Luke Yoder from Normal, Illinois led the Titans by scoring 14 points. Junior players Nick Roper and Harrison Wilmsen, both from St. Louis, Missouri, each contributed 12 points. Junior Hakim Williams from Round Lake, Illinois added eight points and shared the team-high of seven rebounds with Wilmsen.

Illinois Wesleyan displayed strong shooting in the second half, ending the game with a shooting percentage of 47.2 percent (25-for-53) and making eight out of twenty-one three-point attempts (38.1 percent). They improved their three-point shooting to five out of ten in the second half and converted nine out of thirteen free throw attempts. In contrast, North Central made nineteen out of fifty-six shots from the floor and struggled with three-pointers, achieving only five out of twenty-six (19.2 percent). The Cardinals were more successful at free throws, making twelve out of sixteen.

North Central initially controlled much of the first half with a shooting rate of 46.4 percent which led them to a halftime lead of 30-27.

In the second half, assists from Williams and Roper helped Wilmsen score twice early on to bring IWU within one point just two-and-a-half minutes into play.

A continued effort saw Yoder score off a steal, Roper hit a jumper, and freshman Jackson Niego make a three-pointer prompting North Central to call for timeout at fourteen minutes forty-two seconds remaining.

Further contributions included Roper's pull-up shot followed by freshman Mason Funk's eurostep after stealing the ball that extended IWU’s lead to twelve points at eleven minutes thirty-eight seconds left in play.

The Titans maintained their advantage as senior Grant Hardy executed an impressive dunk assisted by Yoder.

Junior Marko Anderson kept IWU ahead by twelve through an "and-one" play before Yoder sealed scoring efforts with another three-pointer.

As champions during CCIW Regular Season holding top seed status entering next week's conference tournament; IWU takes some time off until resuming competition Friday evening February twenty-third scheduled tipoff time being seven-fifteen pm hosted inside Shirk Center following semifinal match between Elmhurst University ranked second seed beginning five pm Tuesday preceding quarterfinals commencing February twentieth where additional tournament details are accessible online.