BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- A desperation basket by Lucas Johnson at the buzzer handed Benedictine University an 88-86 win over Illinois Wesleyan in the 2015-16 season opener for both clubs at the Shirk Center on Saturday, Nov. 14.

This is the second straight season for the Eagles to open the campaign with a narrow victory over Illinois Wesleyan, taking a 61-60 win in Lisle, Ill., last year.

In a game that saw nine lead changes and nine ties, Illinois Wesleyan had a 73-65 lead, their largest of the game, with 8:22 to play in the game. But the Eagles ralled back to outscore IWU, 15-6 to take an 80-79 edge with 3:18 to go. The match was tied at 80, 81and again at 86-86 on a 3-point basket by senior Joel Pennington with 29 seconds left.
The Eagles' John Dodson took the final shot, a 3-pointer than caught only air that was retrieved by Johnson and hooked into the hoop for the game-winner.

The Titans were led by the 21 points off the bench from Pennington while junior Alec Bausch added 15 with a team-high seven rebounds and junior Trevor Seibring scored 14 with five boards.

Four Eagles scored in double figures, led by the 23-point effort of junior Michael Blaszczyk.

What's Next?
The Titans will host Greenville College at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17.