BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - With family members of the senior class in the stands and local media spread throughout the balcony, the second ranked Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team defeated Millikin University 86-71 on Senior Night inside the Shirk Center. The Titans improve to 5-0, while the Big Blue fall to 1-10 on the season. 

Senior Charlie Bair (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South) led the Titans offensively and finished with a 24 point and 11 rebound double-double. Junior Cory Noe (Mahomet, Ill.-Mahomet-Seymour) had 21 points, including 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. Senior Doug Wallen (Champaign, Ill.-Champaign Central) chipped in 16 points and junior Matthew Leritz (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis University HS) added 11 points. 

The Titans shot 52.7 percent (29-of-55) from the field and never trailed in the contest. This is the fourth occasion this season in which the Green and White shot above 50 percent from the floor. From the free throw line, the Titans converted 20-of-25 (80 percent). Millikin shot 29-of-55 from the field and 12-of-17 from the charity stripe. Illinois Wesleyan finished with 38 points in the paint compared to the Big Blue's 20. 

On the defensive end, Illinois Wesleyan outrebounded Millikin 38 to 29. The Titan's eight offensive rebounds led to 14 second chance points, compared to five from the Big Blue. Additionally, the Green and White converted 19 points off of fast breaks. 

Illinois Wesleyan comfortably led throughout the first half of the game, ending the first half up 47-29. Noe and Bair led all scorers at the break with 13 and 12 points, respectively. 

It was much of the same dominance from the Titans in the second half, until the Big Blue cut the lead to six with 2:51 remaining. An exclamation point dunk by senior Doug Wallen with 2:09 left in the game put an end to Millikin's potential comeback. 

It was a perfect end to a perfect senior night, as senior Grant Wolfe (Effingham, Ill.-Effingham) sunk a free throw with 27sec. left in the game. Seniors Charlie Bair, Doug Wallen, Colin Cheaney (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia), and Wolfe were honored following the game. 

The Titans return to action on the road against North Park, Saturday, Feb. 27. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.