MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team used double-digit advantages in both halves to defeat Millsaps College by a final score of 80-59 on Saturday, Nov. 25. Senior Brady Rose continued his shooting tear, scoring a game-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting which included a 3-of-7 performance from beyond the arc.

With the win the Titans improved to 4-0 on the season while Millsaps fell to 1-3.

After struggling to hit their shots in the first half to the tune of a 38.9 percent clip, Illinois Wesleyan shot 50.0 percent on 15-of-30 shooting in the second to extend their lead over the Majors. Defensively the Titans held Millsaps to 33.3 percent shooting in the first half and 39.2 percent overall. Illinois Wesleyan held a distinct advantage in bench points outscoring the Majors 29-18 in that regard. IWU committed just three turnovers in the contest compared to 15 from Millsaps.

Other than Rose, three more Titans finished in doubles figures with sophomore Alex O'Neill scoring 12, senior Jaylen Beasley scoring 11, and sophomore Zach Knobloch adding 10. Beasley led the team in rebounding for the fourth time this season, hauling in nine rebounds. Freshman Grant Wolfe led the team with five assists.

Turnover margin was a key factor in the first half with the Titans winning that battle with nine forced turnovers and just one committed. Illinois Wesleyan converted those turnovers into eight points. IWU used their size advantage down low to record 14 points in the paint, including six from junior Danny Baker.

A lay-up from junior Colin Bonnett extended the Titan lead to 12 early in the second half, but a 9-2 run from the Majors cut their lead down to five with 15:16 remaining. A 3-pointer from Beasley brought the Illinois Wesleyan lead back out to 13, but once again Millsaps continued to fight back. A 13-2 run capped off with a 3-pointer by Saxton Becker cut IWU's lead to three with 9:02 left to play.

An 8-0 run from Rose sent the Majors packing for good as it in total sparked a 13-0 run from Illinois Wesleyan, whose lead wouldn't fall below 14 points for the remainder of the contest.

Two Majors finished in double figures with Michael Sullivan scoring a team-high 13 and Becker adding 10. Sullivan led the team with seven rebounds and Joshua Miller added a team-best five assists on the afternoon.

What's Next?

Illinois Wesleyan faces a tough task tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 26 as they take on Rhodes College and the famed "Grinnell System". The Lynx are 2-1 on the season averaging 123.3 points per game on offense, but are allowing opposing teams to score 113.7 defensively. Opponents are shooting 58.3 percent from the field against Rhodes, but also average 27.7 turnovers per game.