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Matthew Leritz vs. North Park
Nick Helten
74
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 5-1
76
Winner North Park NPU 3-10
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
5-1
74
Final
76
North Park NPU
3-10
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 36 38 74
North Park NPU 35 41 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's Hoops Stunned at North Park

No 2 Titans handed first loss of season

CHICAGO - A jumper with two seconds to go by North Park University's Mike Osborne was the difference as Illinois Wesleyan University's men's basketball team fell on the road, 76-74. The loss is the Titans first of the season, dropping them to 5-1 on the year, while the Vikings moved to 3-10.

Junior Peter Lambesis (Mt. Prospect, Ill.-St. Viator) drilled a three-pointer on a kick out from fellow junior Matthew Leritz (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis University HS) to tie the game at 74 all with 1:14 to play. 

The Titans defense forced the Vikings into a missed shot on the ensuing possession, but an Illinois Wesleyan turnover gave North Park new life with 32 seconds to play. After a timeout by NPU, Mike Osborne tracked down his own rebound and hit a fadeaway jumper from the baseline to put the Vikings up, 76-74.

IWU's 94-foot toss into the front court was knocked out of bounds before the Titans had the opportunity to get a shot off.

Leritz led the Titans with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Also finishing with double digit points were junior Keondre Schumacher (Bloomington, Ill.-University High) and senior Doug Wallen (Champaign, Ill.-Champaign Central). Schumacher tallied 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including four triples. Wallen added 13 points and senior Charlie Bair (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard North) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. 

IWU was strong offensively, converting 52.5 percent of its shot attempts, including 9-of-17 three-point tries. The Titans' hot-shooting did not carry over to the free throw line, where they went just 3-for-8. NPU went 28-for-59 from the floor, 12-of-24 from the long line, and 8-for-12 at the charity stripe.

The Green and White held a 35-31 rebounding edge, but the Vikings won the turnover battle 13-9. The Titans led in points in the paint, 34-26, and bench points, 16-10.

IWU's game against No. 4 Wheaton scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols. The Titans will now prep for the CCIW Tournament, which is slated to begin next week. 

 
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