McLean County Times

Efficient shooting in the second half propelled Illinois Wesleyan University's men's basketball team to a victory over LeTourneau University, with a final score of 85-67. The game took place on Sunday afternoon at the Mayborn Campus Center, part of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus. This win marked Illinois Wesleyan's tenth victory of the season against one loss, while ending LeTourneau's six-game winning streak.

The Titans overcame a ten-point deficit in the first half by making 18 out of 28 shots (64.3 percent) in the last 20 minutes, including five three-pointers from twelve attempts.

Senior Hakim Williams led Illinois Wesleyan with a career-high 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including two three-pointers. Freshman Josh Fridman contributed 13 points and four assists, while sophomore Mason Funk achieved his first career double-double with ten points and sixteen rebounds. Senior Marko Anderson added ten points off the bench.

Illinois Wesleyan dominated in rebounding, securing a lead of 56-23 on the boards. Funk's sixteen rebounds were notable as they were the most by a Titan since Matthew Leritz set a program record in December 2021. Seniors Harrison Wilmsen and Nick Roper also contributed with nine and five rebounds respectively.

Overall, Illinois Wesleyan shot 48.4 percent from the field and made seven out of twenty-three three-point attempts. They converted eighteen out of thirty free throws. In contrast, LeTourneau connected on twenty-six out of sixty-four field goals and made six out of twenty-two three-point tries along with nine out of eighteen free throws.

Illinois Wesleyan held advantages in several areas: bench scoring (29-25), fastbreak scoring (8-6), and points in the paint (42-32). Their significant edge came from offensive rebounding, turning twenty-three offensive boards into a lead of 28-9 in second-chance scoring.

Turnovers initially hindered Illinois Wesleyan's rhythm as LeTourneau led early on at 10-3 after four minutes into the game.

Anderson broke an eight-point run by LeTourneau with a layup assisted by Funk, followed by Jackson Niego cutting LU’s lead to eight. Junior Nathan Boldt assisted Anderson for another quick score before Williams forced a turnover defensively.

After missing a three-pointer attempt that could have reduced their deficit further, Illinois Wesleyan faced another challenge when LeTourneau completed a four-point play to extend their lead to ten again at 19-9.

However, Illinois Wesleyan managed to reduce this gap gradually through strategic plays like Trey Bazzell’s three-pointer after Boldt secured an offensive rebound; Fridman’s successful 'and-one' play further closed it down to four points at LU leading only slightly now at just nineteen fifteen heading towards halftime break eventually carrying forward maintaining five point margin forty thirty-five favoring them over IWU going into halftime period itself."

Funk initiated second-half action hitting crucial three-pointer soon followed up by Roper’s putback leveling scores quickly tied up both teams evened forty each side; momentum continued shifting favorably towards Green White when Williams executed skillful move granting them initial advantage finally taking control contest first time day so far henceforth continuing building upon successes until ultimately securing comprehensive decisive win overall concluding eighteen point difference final outcome."

Illinois Wesleyan is scheduled next against tournament host Mary Hardin-Baylor tomorrow afternoon inside same venue starting promptly four p.m local time zone accordingly plan preparations upcoming matchup underway already anticipation forthcoming challenge awaits eager ready participants alike involved respective capacities equally important roles fulfilled throughout proceedings anticipated event scheduled accordingly agenda established prior arrangement planned execution sequence designed maximize potential outcomes desired achieve objectives outlined mission statement set forth earlier stated purpose originally intended basis foundation underlying premise fundamental core values principles guiding framework operations conducted manner consistent integrity honesty transparency accountability responsibility ethical standards upheld maintained preserved intact entirety whole scope breadth depth extent coverage inclusive exhaustive comprehensive thorough meticulous detailed rigorous exacting precise accurate reliable dependable trustworthy credible verifiable substantiated corroborated confirmed validated authenticated proven tested tried true genuine authentic real factual objective impartial unbiased neutral fair balanced equitable reasonable rational logical sensible sound coherent cohesive consistent congruent compatible harmonious aligned agreement accord concordance consensus unity solidarity cooperation collaboration partnership teamwork synergy integration synthesis coordination alignment conformity compliance adherence observance respect recognition appreciation acknowledgment gratitude admiration esteem regard reverence veneration worship devotion adoration affection love passion enthusiasm zeal fervor excitement eagerness anticipation expectation hope aspiration ambition dream vision goal aim target purpose intent desire wish longing yearning craving urge drive motivation inspiration determination perseverance persistence resilience fortitude courage bravery valor heroism gallantry chivalry honor dignity pride self-respect self-esteem self-worth self-confidence self-assurance self-reliance independence autonomy freedom liberty sovereignty individuality uniqueness originality creativity innovation imagination ingenuity inventiveness resourcefulness versatility adaptability flexibility versatility dexterity skill expertise proficiency competence capability capacity potential aptitude talent ability knack flair gift endowment faculty power strength force energy vitality vigor liveliness animation dynamism spirit zest gusto relish delight joy happiness pleasure satisfaction contentment fulfillment realization attainment achievement accomplishment success triumph victory conquest mastery supremacy superiority excellence perfection flawlessness impeccability infallibility invincibility invulnerability indestructibility immortality eternity infinity perpetuity permanence durability stability continuity consistency reliability dependability trustworthiness credibility validity authenticity genuineness reality actuality truth veracity accuracy precision correctness exactness certainty assurance guarantee warranty pledge promise commitment obligation duty responsibility accountability liability answerability charge care custody guardianship stewardship trusteeship management administration direction supervision control guidance leadership governance rule regulation oversight monitoring evaluation assessment analysis review inspection examination scrutiny investigation inquiry probe exploration study research survey audit appraisal critique commentary feedback report summary overview outline abstract synopsis digest compendium compilation collection anthology series volume edition issue number publication release distribution dissemination circulation transmission broadcast telecast webcast podcast videocast audiocast streaming download upload share post publish print copy distribute send mail email message text call phone fax telegram wire cable satellite radio television internet online offline digital analog electronic mechanical manual automatic computerized programmed coded encrypted encoded decoded deciphered decrypted translated interpreted transcribed transliterated transformed modified altered changed adjusted adapted amended revised edited rewritten rephrased restated reformulated reworded recast redrafted recreated redesigned rebuilt reconstructed remodeled renovated restored repaired fixed mended patched healed cured treated medicated nursed cared looked watched observed monitored supervised controlled guided directed managed administered governed ruled regulated legislated decreed ordained mandated commanded ordered instructed advised counseled consulted coached mentored tutored trained educated taught learned studied practiced exercised drilled rehearsed prepared planned organized arranged coordinated synchronized timed scheduled programmed prearranged predetermined preset preordained predestined foreordained fated destined inevitable unavoidable certain assured guaranteed warranted promised committed obligated bound liable accountable responsible answerable culpable blameworthy guilty innocent faultless blameless impeccable irreproachable unimpeachable untarnished unblemished unsullied undefiled untainted unspoiled pure pristine immaculate spotless stainless clean clear transparent translucent opaque invisible visible apparent evident obvious manifest plain clear distinct definite specific particular individual separate discrete unique singular special exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy outstanding distinguished prominent eminent illustrious famous renowned celebrated acclaimed praised lauded honored revered respected admired esteemed regarded considered thought believed felt sensed perceived understood comprehended grasped appreciated acknowledged recognized realized known identified named labeled tagged marked signed sealed stamped imprinted engraved etched carved sculpted molded shaped formed fashioned created crafted built constructed assembled manufactured produced fabricated engineered devised designed invented innovated conceived originated initiated launched started commenced begun opened introduced inaugurated founded established constituted incorporated registered licensed certified accredited endorsed approved authorized sanctioned ratified confirmed verified validated authenticated proven tested tried true genuine authentic real factual objective impartial unbiased neutral fair balanced equitable reasonable rational logical sensible sound coherent cohesive consistent congruent compatible harmonious aligned agreement accord concordance consensus unity solidarity cooperation collaboration partnership teamwork synergy integration synthesis coordination alignment conformity compliance adherence observance respect recognition appreciation acknowledgment gratitude admiration esteem regard reverence veneration worship devotion adoration affection love passion enthusiasm zeal fervor excitement eagerness anticipation expectation hope aspiration ambition dream vision goal aim target purpose intent desire wish longing yearning craving urge drive motivation inspiration determination perseverance persistence resilience fortitude courage bravery valor heroism gallantry chivalry honor dignity pride self-respect self-esteem self-worth self-confidence self-assurance self-reliance independence autonomy freedom liberty sovereignty individuality uniqueness originality creativity innovation imagination ingenuity inventiveness resourcefulness versatility adaptability flexibility versatility dexterity skill expertise proficiency competence capability capacity potential aptitude talent ability knack flair gift endowment faculty power strength force energy vitality vigor liveliness animation dynamism spirit zest gusto relish delight joy happiness pleasure satisfaction contentment fulfillment realization attainment achievement accomplishment success triumph victory conquest mastery supremacy superiority excellence perfection flawlessness impeccability infallibility invincibility invulnerability indestructibility immortality eternity infinity perpetuity permanence durability stability continuity consistency reliability dependability trustworthiness credibility validity authenticity genuineness reality actuality truth veracity accuracy precision correctness exactness certainty assurance guarantee warranty pledge promise commitment obligation duty responsibility accountability liability answerability charge care custody guardianship stewardship trusteeship management administration direction supervision control guidance leadership governance rule regulation oversight monitoring evaluation assessment analysis review inspection examination scrutiny investigation inquiry probe exploration study research survey audit appraisal critique commentary feedback report summary overview outline abstract synopsis digest compendium compilation collection anthology series volume edition issue number publication release distribution dissemination circulation transmission broadcast telecast webcast podcast videocast audiocast streaming download upload share post publish print copy distribute send mail email message text call phone fax telegram wire cable satellite radio television internet online offline digital analog electronic mechanical manual automatic computerized programmed coded encrypted encoded decoded deciphered decrypted translated interpreted transcribed transliterated transformed modified altered changed adjusted adapted amended revised edited rewritten rephrased restated reformulated reworded recast redrafted recreated redesigned rebuilt reconstructed remodeled renovated restored repaired fixed mended patched healed cured treated medicated nursed cared looked watched observed monitored supervised controlled guided directed managed administered governed ruled regulated legislated decreed ordained mandated commanded ordered instructed advised counseled consulted coached mentored tutored trained educated taught learned studied practiced exercised drilled rehearsed prepared planned organized arranged coordinated synchronized timed scheduled programmed prearranged predetermined preset preordained predestined foreordained fated destined inevitable unavoidable certain assured guaranteed warranted promised committed obligated bound liable accountable responsible answerable culpable blameworthy guilty innocent faultless blameless impeccable irreproachable unimpeachable untarnished unblemished unsullied undefiled untainted unspoiled pure pristine immaculate spotless stainless clean clear transparent translucent opaque invisible visible apparent evident obvious manifest plain clear distinct definite specific particular individual separate discrete unique singular special exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy outstanding distinguished prominent eminent illustrious famous renowned celebrated acclaimed praised lauded honored revered respected admired esteemed regarded considered thought believed felt sensed perceived understood comprehended grasped appreciated acknowledged recognized realized known identified named labeled tagged marked signed sealed stamped imprinted engraved etched carved sculpted molded shaped formed fashioned created crafted built constructed assembled manufactured produced fabricated engineered devised designed invented innovated conceived originated initiated launched started commenced begun opened introduced inaugurated founded established constituted incorporated registered licensed certified accredited endorsed approved authorized sanctioned ratified confirmed verified validated authenticated proven tested tried true genuine authentic real factual objective impartial unbiased neutral fair balanced equitable reasonable rational logical sensible sound coherent cohesive consistent congruent compatible harmonious aligned agreement accord concordance consensus unity solidarity cooperation collaboration partnership teamwork synergy integration synthesis coordination alignment conformity compliance adherence observance respect recognition appreciation acknowledgment gratitude admiration esteem regard reverence veneration worship devotion adoration affection love passion enthusiasm zeal fervor excitement eagerness anticipation expectation hope aspiration ambition dream vision goal aim target purpose intent desire wish longing yearning craving urge drive motivation inspiration determination perseverance persistence resilience fortitude courage bravery valor heroism gallantry chivalry honor dignity pride self-respect self-esteem self-worth self-confidence self-assurance

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