McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's men's basketball team secured a significant victory against Carthage College on February 10, clinching the No. 1 seed in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament. The game, held at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wisconsin, saw Illinois Wesleyan improving their record to 16-7 overall and 12-2 in conference play. Carthage now holds a record of 15-8 overall and 9-5 in the CCIW.

The Titans' win was led by four starters scoring in double figures. Junior Nick Roper contributed with 18 points and three rebounds. Junior Hakim Williams added 13 points with four rebounds, while senior Luke Yoder nearly achieved a double-double with 11 points, seven assists, four steals, and three rebounds. Senior Ryan Sroka completed the quartet with ten points.

Juniors Marko Anderson and Harrison Wilmsen both grabbed eight rebounds each as Illinois Wesleyan maintained a lead on the glass with a total of 40-33.

Both teams struggled offensively as neither shot over 40 percent from the field. Illinois Wesleyan hit 38.6 percent of their shots compared to Carthage's 36.4 percent. The Titans made five out of twenty-one three-point attempts while holding Carthage to five out of twenty-six from beyond the arc.

Illinois Wesleyan showed strength at the free throw line, converting twenty-one out of twenty-five attempts which proved crucial in securing their victory down the stretch. In contrast, Carthage managed thirteen out of nineteen free throws.

The Titans' bench provided essential support by outscoring Carthage's bench seventeen to nine and also leading fastbreak scoring eight to four. However, Carthage had an edge in points off turnovers (nine to six) and points in the paint (twenty-four to twenty).

A pivotal moment came when Williams scored a tough layup breaking a tie at forty-six all with eight minutes remaining. Subsequent contributions from Anderson and sophomore Karlo Colak helped extend Illinois Wesleyan's lead further forcing a timeout by Carthage.

In the closing moments, Yoder assisted Williams for a critical three-pointer followed by additional scores that sealed Illinois Wesleyan's win at seventy to fifty-eight.

Looking ahead, Illinois Wesleyan will travel to North Park University for another regular season game scheduled for February 14 at Holmgren Athletic Complex with tipoff set for 7 p.m.