AUSTIN, Texas - Junior Doug Wallen (Champaign, Ill.-Champaign Central) sunk a putback with 1.7 seconds to play to lift the Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team to an 82-81 win over Sul Ross State University Monday, Dec. 30, at the Concordia Classic. The Titans (8-4) led by as many as 16 in the game, but scoring runs by the Lobos (4-6) kept things tight down to the wire.

With the game tied at 78 all with 1:02 on the clock, Illinois Wesleyan went inside to junior Charlie Bair (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South) for a layup to put the Titans up two, 80-78. Following a defensive rebound on an IWU missed free throw, Logan Dixon took the ball to the hoop and drew the harm. Dixon completed the three-point play at the free throw line to put the Lobos in front by one, 81-80, with 14 seconds remaining to setup Wallen's late-game heroics. 

The Titans were led by four double-digit scorers, including a game-high 22 points from sophomore Keondre Schumacher (Bloomington, Ill.-University). Schumacher went 8-of-14 from the floor, with a trio of three-pointers, while also tying for the team-lead with two steals. Wallen and Bair registered double-doubles in the win, marking the ninth time in program history multiple Titans have accomplished the feat in the same game. Highlighted by his game-winning bucket, Wallen finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Bair added 15 points and 17 rebounds in a monster effort. Bair's 17 boards were the most by a Titan since Darius Gant grabbed 21 against North Park, Feb. 23, 2008. Freshman Luke Yoder (Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic) rounded out the double-digit scorer with 10 points and five rebounds.

Illinois Wesleyan shot 46.4 percent from the floor, while Sul Ross State finished with a 45.2 clip. Neither team shot particularly well from distance as IWU went 4-of-17 from the long line and SRSU hit 5-of-17 three-point attempts. The Titans dominated the glass, 49-34, but lost the turnover battle 21-17.

IWU is back in action at home Saturday, Jan. 4, as the Titans return to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play against Millikin University. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 4 p.m. and will serve as the second leg of a double feature with the IWU women's basketball team.