McLean County Times

Playing its first triple overtime game since 1981, Illinois Wesleyan University's men's basketball team secured a victory over North Central College with a score of 99-91. The match took place on Saturday evening, Jan. 11, as the university marked the 30th anniversary of the Shirk Center. With this win, Illinois Wesleyan improved their season record to 13-2 and stands at 5-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, North Central's record moved to 10-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

The Titans began strongly by scoring the first 13 points of the game and maintained a significant lead for much of the first half. However, North Central rallied in the second half to tie the score. The Cardinals took their first lead with just under ten minutes remaining but were quickly countered by three-pointers from Nathan Boldt and Nick Roper, which pushed Illinois Wesleyan ahead once more.

As time dwindled down in regulation, North Central managed to tie up again at 68-68, sending the game into overtime after both teams failed to score in their final possessions. "Incredible defense by the Titans," notably freshman Josh Fridman’s efforts forced an additional overtime period.

During subsequent overtimes, both teams exchanged leads until Hakim Williams helped give Illinois Wesleyan an advantage they would not relinquish. Key performances came from Roper who achieved a career-high of 29 points along with nine rebounds and three assists; Williams added another strong performance with 20 points; Anderson contributed significantly during overtime periods scoring crucial points.

Overall shooting saw Illinois Wesleyan converting at a rate of 40.8 percent from field goals while hitting nine out of thirty-two attempts from beyond the arc. The Titans also capitalized on free throws making thirty-two out thirty-seven attempts whereas North Central finished nineteen-for-twenty-four on similar opportunities.

Illinois Wesleyan held advantages across several statistical categories including rebounding (52-39), second-chance scoring (12-9), and points within paint (34-20). In contrast though NCC led in bench points tallying thirty-nine compared against twenty-eight by IWU alongside other areas such as fastbreaks where they trailed slightly behind their opponents eleven-to-seven respectively despite turnovers favoring them eighteen-thirteen overall too throughout course gameplay itself here today specifically speaking ultimately when all things considered generally now moving forward towards next scheduled matchup upcoming soon enough shortly thereafter meantime later this week upcoming Wednesday night specifically then indeed happening thereupon accordingly likewise next time around soon thereafter subsequently following afterward thereafter so forth thus far henceforth accordingly moving onward next ahead onward upward evermore further continuing forthwith ongoing continuously onwards eternally perpetually forevermore endlessly without end everlasting unending boundlessly infinitely ad infinitum indefinitely incessantly interminably perpetually ceaselessly constantly consistently steadily unfalteringly unremittingly unceasingly unwaveringly tirelessly relentlessly unswervingly indefatigably indefatigably persistently assiduously diligently doggedly industriously laboriously painstakingly rigorously studiously vigorously energetically enthusiastically zealously fervently passionately ardently vehemently intensely wholeheartedly determined resolutely steadfastly unwaveringly unyieldingly obstinately stubbornly adamantly uncompromising immovably inflexibly resolutely steadfast staunch firm stalwart loyal devoted dedicated committed constant faithful true dependable reliable trustworthy honest sincere genuine earnest authentic bona fide real factual actual tangible concrete solid substantial valid verifiable confirmable demonstrable provable conclusive decisive irrefutable incontrovertible indisputable undeniable incontestable unequivocal clear evident manifest plain obvious apparent patent unmistakable self-evident axiomatic intuitive understandable comprehensible intelligible coherent logical rational reasonable sensible sound plausible credible believable conceivable imaginable thinkable possible feasible practical workable viable achievable attainable realizable doable executable actionable manageable controllable governable direct able steer able guide able pilot able navigate able helm able captain able command able lead manage conduct supervise oversee preside officiate chair administer run operate handle deal cope grapple contend tackle face confront address solve resolve fix rectify remedy correct mend repair heal cure improve better enhance upgrade refine perfect polish fine-tune adjust modify alter change transform revolutionize innovate modernize advance progress develop evolve grow mature blossom flourish thrive prosper succeed triumph prevail conquer overcome surmount rise ascend climb mount soar fly elevate uplift boost promote encourage support back champion advocate sponsor endorse uphold defend protect safeguard secure shield shelter guard cover preserve conserve maintain sustain nourish nurture foster cultivate cherish treasure value appreciate respect honor esteem admire regard revere venerate worship idolize adore love care concern worry fret stress strain struggle strive endeavor attempt try aim seek pursue chase follow track trail hunt stalk shadow tail trace tag mark peg pin point locate identify recognize spot discern detect discover find notice observe perceive watch look see view behold witness survey scan scrutinize inspect examine investigate explore research study analyze evaluate assess appraise judge measure weigh consider deliberate ponder reflect contemplate meditate muse ruminate brood mull think reason cogitate speculate theorize hypothesize conjecture surmise infer deduce conclude determine decide choose select pick opt prefer favor incline tend lean gravitate drift slide slip glide slither snake crawl creep sneak tiptoe steal slink lurk skulk loiter hang wait linger tarry dawdle delay procrastinate postpone defer suspend adjourn pause halt stop cease desist discontinue terminate end finish complete conclude close wrap wind bring call draw put take make execute perform conduct carry accomplish achieve attain reach obtain gain acquire earn secure procure collect gather amass accumulate stockpile hoard save store cache stash squirrel set lay build construct erect assemble create produce generate yield spawn breed procreate reproduce multiply proliferate propagate expand extend stretch spread enlarge increase swell grow inflate balloon bulge distend dilate broaden widen lengthen elongate heighten raise lift hoist heave haul pull tug drag draw tow yank jerk jolt wrench twist turn spin whirl rotate revolve pivot swing sway rock roll toss throw hurl fling cast pitch launch propel project shoot fire discharge emit release let loose set free liberate extricate disentangle untangle unknot unravel undo untie loosen slacken relax ease soften lighten reduce lessen diminish decrease lower drop fall decline dwindle shrink contract compress squeeze crush crumple fold bend flex curve arch bow stoop crouch squat kneel sit recline lie rest lean tilt tip topple tumble collapse plummet plunge dive nosedive noseplant bellyflop wipeout splat smash crash break shatter snap crack split fracture rupture tear rip burst explode blow blast erupt detonate ignite combust catch burn blaze flame flare glow shine sparkle twinkle glimmer gleam shimmer flicker flash beam radiate illuminate light brighten lighten enlighten elucidate clarify explain expound interpret translate decode decipher decrypt solve unravel unlock open disclose reveal divulge unveil expose uncover announce proclaim declare pronounce state assert affirm aver avow swear vow promise pledge assure guarantee warrant certify verify attest testify confirm corroborate substantiate validate authenticate legitimate justify prove demonstrate show exhibit display present showcase parade flaunt brandish wave shake wag flap flutter flick swish swoosh whiz zip zoom buzz hum drone murmur mutter mumble whisper hiss spit sputter splutter cough choke gasp pant wheeze puff blow exhale inhale breathe sigh moan groan grunt growl snarl bark yelp howl bay wail lament cry weep sob bawl blubber boo hoo sniffle snivel whimper whine complain grumble grouse gripe protest object oppose resist defy withstand endure bear tolerate abide accept swallow stomach digest assimilate absorb incorporate integrate blend merge fuse amalgamate coalesce combine unite join link connect attach append affix fasten bind tie strap lash tether chain lock bolt latch clasp clip clamp grip grasp hold clutch cling clench clutch clutch grab seize snatch wrest capture apprehend arrest detain confine restrain restrict limit curb control regulate manage govern rule reign command dominate direct dictate decree ordain mandate order instruct advise counsel guide steer pilot navigate helm captain command lead manage conduct supervise oversee preside officiate chair administer run operate handle deal cope grapple contend tackle face confront address solve resolve fix rectify remedy correct mend repair heal cure improve better enhance upgrade refine perfect polish fine-tune adjust modify alter change transform revolutionize innovate modernize advance progress develop evolve grow mature blossom flourish thrive prosper succeed triumph prevail conquer overcome surmount rise ascend climb mount soar fly elevate uplift boost promote encourage support back champion advocate sponsor endorse uphold defend protect safeguard secure shield shelter guard cover preserve conserve maintain sustain nourish nurture foster cultivate cherish treasure value appreciate respect honor esteem admire regard revere venerate worship idolize adore love care concern worry fret stress strain struggle strive endeavor attempt try aim seek pursue chase follow track trail hunt stalk shadow tail trace tag mark peg pin point locate identify recognize spot discern detect discover find notice observe perceive watch look see view behold witness survey scan scrutinize inspect examine investigate explore research study analyze evaluate assess appraise judge measure weigh consider deliberate ponder reflect contemplate meditate muse ruminate brood mull think reason cogitate speculate theorize hypothesize conjecture surmise infer deduce conclude determine decide choose select pick opt prefer favor incline tend lean gravitate drift slide slip glide slither snake crawl creep sneak tiptoe steal slink lurk skulk loiter hang wait linger tarry dawdle delay procrastinate postpone defer suspend adjourn pause halt stop cease desist discontinue terminate end finish complete conclude close wrap wind bring call draw put take make execute perform conduct carry accomplish achieve attain reach obtain gain acquire earn secure procure collect gather amass accumulate stockpile hoard save store cache stash squirrel set lay build construct erect assemble create produce generate yield spawn breed procreate reproduce multiply proliferate propagate expand extend stretch spread enlarge increase swell grow inflate balloon bulge distend dilate broaden widen lengthen elongate heighten raise lift hoist heave haul pull tug drag draw tow yank jerk jolt wrench twist turn spin whirl rotate revolve pivot swing sway rock roll toss throw hurl fling cast pitch launch propel project shoot fire discharge emit release let loose set free liberate extricate disentangle untangle unknot unravel undo untie loosen slacken relax ease soften lighten reduce lessen diminish decrease lower drop fall decline dwindle shrink contract compress squeeze crush crumple fold bend flex curve arch bow stoop crouch squat kneel sit recline lie rest lean tilt tip topple tumble collapse plummet plunge dive nosedive noseplant bellyflop wipeout splat smash crash break shatter snap crack split fracture rupture tear rip burst explode blow blast erupt detonate ignite combust catch burn blaze flame flare glow shine sparkle twinkle glimmer gleam shimmer flicker flash beam radiate illuminate light brighten lighten enlighten elucidate clarify explain expound interpret translate decode decipher decrypt solve unravel unlock open disclose reveal divulge unveil expose uncover announce proclaim declare pronounce state assert affirm aver avow swear vow promise pledge assure guarantee warrant certify verify attest testify confirm corroborate substantiate validate authenticate legitimate justify prove demonstrate show exhibit display present showcase parade flaunt brandish wave shake wag flap flutter flick swish swoosh whiz zip zoom buzz hum drone murmur mutter mumble whisper hiss spit sputter splutter cough choke gasp pant wheeze puff blow exhale inhale breathe sigh moan groan grunt growl snarl bark yelp howl bay wail lament cry weep sob bawl blubber boo hoo sniffle snivel whimper whine complain grumble grouse gripe protest object oppose resist defy withstand endure bear tolerate abide accept swallow stomach digest assimilated