Box Score

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Senior Jordan Zimmer scored 23 and junior Kevin Reed matched his career high with 10 rebounds as Illinois Wesleyan handed Bethany (W.Va.) a 63-60 loss in the 10th annual Staten Island Tournament of Heroes tournament on Thursday (Dec. 29).

The Titans improved to 8-2 overall and will face the host school Staten Island at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Bethany lost for the first time this year after 10 wins. Staten Island (who improved to 7-3) was a 104-51 winner over Vaughn on the tournament's first day.

Illinois Wesleyan rallied from a 14-point first half deficit to get within three at halftime, 27-24. A Zimmer 3-pointer tied the game at 27-27 and the teams went back and forth until IWU took a 43-41 lead with 9:40 to play and never relinquished the lead. The Titans held their largest lead, a nine-point edge at 54-45 with 4:27 left.

Reed also had 10 points and sophomore Victor Davis scored 10 and grabbed five rebounds as the Titans held a commanding 41-25 lead on the boards.

The Bison got 31 points from Reece Maybery and 10 points out of Brady Pacific.

In a game that showed many statistical similarities, Illinois Wesleyan and Bethany both shot 41 percent from the field with the Titans going 22 of 54 (.407) and the Bison making 21 of 51 (.412). The Titans made eight of 21 3-pointers (.381), with six of those coming from Zimmer, and Bethany was nine of 21 (.429).
The Titans knocked in 11 of 15 free throws while Bethany made nine of 10.

IWU committed 21 turnovers compared to 15 for Bethany.