McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team faced a narrow defeat against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, with a final score of 78-77. The game took place at the Mayborn Campus Center in Belton, Texas, on December 30, 2024. This loss ended the Titans' four-game winning streak and brought their overall record to 10-2. Meanwhile, UMHB improved its record to 11-3.

Nick Roper led the Titans by scoring 16 points. His teammates Harrison Wilmsen and Marko Anderson contributed 14 and 12 points respectively. Hakim Williams and Mason Funk each added 11 points. Williams also achieved a double-double with his team-high of 11 rebounds and five assists. Anderson secured another double-double with ten boards.

Illinois Wesleyan made 46.3 percent of their shots from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, making only seven out of twenty-eight attempts (25 percent). They completed twenty out of thirty free throws. UMHB had a similar shooting performance, converting on 43.3 percent of their shots while making seven out of twenty three-point attempts.

UMHB gained an advantage by winning the turnover margin, which stood at nineteen to eleven in their favor, resulting in a significant lead in points off turnovers.

The game was marked by fluctuating leads as both teams exchanged control multiple times. A key moment came when UMHB went on a twelve-to-two run to take a lead before halftime. However, Illinois Wesleyan responded with a series of plays that tied the score at thirty-six just before halftime.

In the second half, Illinois Wesleyan initially took control but could not maintain their lead as UMHB managed to tie it up again at sixty-seven each during the under-four media timeout.

The final moments were intense; Zachary Engels' jumper put UMHB ahead just before time expired after an unsuccessful last-second attempt by IWU's Mason Funk sealed their fate at seventy-eight to seventy-seven.

Following this game against UMHB, Illinois Wesleyan will start their conference schedule with thirteen consecutive games in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin beginning January fourth against Wheaton College at King Arena.