Box Score

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – In the Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team's final regular season game before the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championships, the Titans fell, 87-83, in overtime Tuesday night (Feb. 19), earning their first conference loss of the season.
 
IWU, which already clinched first in the regular season conference standings, now has a 21-4 overall record and is 13-1 in the CCIW. NCC is 22-3, 11-3 CCIW.
 
♦ The first half went back and forth on the scoreboard, as the lead changed several times, until IWU was able to secure a three-point lead at halftime, 44-41, after sophomore Dylan Overstreet sunk two free throws.

♦ The Titans and the Cardinals almost mirrored each other offensively throughout the first, as IWU went 13-for-29 from the field and NCC went 13-for-30. IWU outdid North Central in free throws (15-10), but the Cardinals secured good three-pointers, 5-3.

♦ In the final 20 minutes, the game was stuck between a four-point or less difference for a majority of playtime until the final buzzer rang.

♦ With 1:09 on the clock, junior Andrew Ziemnik made a three pointer to put the Titans up by two, 74-72, at a clutch moment.

♦ However, the small lead lasted around 30 seconds, when NCC's Landon Gamble completed two free throws to tie it up, 74-74.

♦ Overstreet missed the last second shot, leading the two teams into overtime.

♦ Overtime was a continued heated battle, with the final minute a two-point difference in North Central's favor, 83-81.

♦ Ziemnik missed the last chance three pointer with 52 seconds on the clock, leaving IWU out of luck.

♦ Brady Zimmer and Eric Dortch were the lone Titans to score in overtime, contributing nine points to the Cardinals' 13.
 
Illinois Wesleyan Statistical Leaders
Zimmer (16 points, 3 rebounds)
Ziemnik (13 points, 7 rebounds)
Overstreet (13 points, 5 rebounds)
 
North Central Statistical Leaders
Vince Kmiec (23 points, 6 rebounds)
Gamble (18 points, 3 rebounds)
Derek Raridon (17 points, 4 rebounds)
 
Who's Next?
The Cardinals were the Titans' final regular season opponent, as the CCIW Championships kick off Friday (Feb. 22) when IWU hosts Augustana at 7 p.m. The Shirk Center will also be home to the Wheaton vs. North Central game at 5 p.m.
 
The conference championship match will also be played at the Shirk Center on Saturday (Feb. 23) between the winners of the Friday games. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.