DECATUR, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team overcame an early 9-3 defecit to soundly beat Millikin by a final score of 73-51 at the Griswold Center on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
                                                                                                                                   
The Titans improved to 9-6 this season and 3-1 overall in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Big Blue are now 6-9 overall and winless in the CCIW at 0-4.

Illinois Wesleyan found themselves in an early six point hole two minutes into the game before tying the game at 11 apiece with 14:51 left in the half. Millikin would take their final lead of the game at 16-15 at the 10:54 mark before the Titans would close the half by outscoring the Big Blue 23-13 thanks in part to 16-27 (59.3%) shooting from the field.

In the Second half, IWU would maintain their 11 point lead for the first seven-plus minutes before taking a 53-38 lead off a Mark Falotico layup. The Titans would not let Millikin get any closer, building a 73-47 lead with 3:25 left in the game before the Big Blue ended the game scoring four straight points.

Falotico set a new career high with 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting and added three assists. Junior Trevor Seibring led the Titans with 16 points and seven rebounds while seniors Bryce Dolan (13 points all in the first half) and Ryan Coyle (10 points) also found themselves in double figures on the night.

The Big Blue were led by Tommy Pilackas and T.J. Griffin who had 16 and 15 points, respectively, but were held to only six points total in the second half after scoring 25 of Millikin's 29 points in the first half.

IWU held a 39-35 rebounding advantage over Millikin, including a 33-23 advantage on the defensive glass. For the game, Illinois Wesleyan assisted on 17 of 29 made baskets while shooting 56.9% (29-51) from the field.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan will play at home against No 25-ranked North Central College on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. The Cardinals fell at No. 3 Augustana by a score of 76-49 on Wednesday night and are 10-5 overall and 3-1 in the CCIW.