Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content
MBB | IWU at Wheaton
Kodiak Creative
72
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU 14-2,7-1 CCIW
54
Carroll (WI) CAR 5-13,1-8 CCIW
Winner
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
14-2,7-1 CCIW
72
Final
54
Carroll (WI) CAR
5-13,1-8 CCIW
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 30 42 72
Carroll (WI) CAR 27 27 54

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Second Half Surge Powers Men’s Hoops Past Pioneers

IWU outscored Carroll 42-27 in second half

WAUKESHA, Wis. - The No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team used a strong second half to defeat Carroll University, 72-54, Saturday, Jan. 22, at Van Male Fieldhouse. The Titans (14-2, 7-1 CCIW), who led by three at halftime, outscored the Pioneers (5-13, 1-8 CCIW) 42-27 in the second half en route to the win.

Senior Matthew Leritz (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis University HS) and junior Lucas Heflen (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles North) led a balanced offensive effort for the Green and White. Leritz finished with game-highs of 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while also adding one block and one steal in a strong all-around performance. Heflen racked up 11 points off the bench, all of which came in the second half. Leritz went 8-for-10 from the floor, while Heflen was 4-for-6 and 3-for-3 from three-point distance.

Junior Cody Mitchell (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles East) added seven points, while junior Luke Yoder (Normal, Ill.-Central Catholic) and freshmen Nick Roper (Creve Coeur, Mo.-MICDS) and Harrison Wilmsen (Des Peres, Mo.-St. Louis Priory) tallied six apiece. 

Illinois Wesleyan's strong second half came on the back of efficient shooting as the Titans went 30-for-58 (51.7 percent) from the field compared to the Pioneers' 37.7 (20-for-53) clip. IWU pulled down 36 rebounds to Carroll's 26, and manufactured a 15-2 lead in second chance points. The Green and White also held a 36-12 edge in points in the paint, as well as a 7-1 block advantage. 

With outside shooting not there for the Titans in the early goings, the Green and White turned to Mitchell and Leritz. After Carroll erased an early seven-point IWU lead, a four-point spurt by Leritz gave the Titans a 21-20 edge. The senior forward capped the period with a three-pointer to send Illinois Wesleyan to the half up 30-27.

Three-pointers by Yoder and Leritz quickly expanded IWU's advantage to 36-27 less than two minutes into the second half. 

Heflen took control of the game from there, hitting a pair of threes to give the Titans a 42-29 lead with 14:23 to go. After Wilmsen converted a layup, Leritz passed out of a double team for another Heflen trey. The three-ball from the junior upped the IWU lead to 49-30 with 11:51 on the clock and forced a Carroll timeout. 

Illinois Wesleyan's bench piled it on down the stretch, as Wilmsen, Roper, and sophomores Connor Heaton (Moweaqua, Ill.-Central A&M) and Evan Schneider (St. Louis, Mo.-Ladue) tacked on points over the final 10 minutes to secure the 72-54 victory.

The Titans will return to Wisconsin Monday, Jan. 24, to take on Carthage College at Tarble Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Kenosha, Wis.

 
Print Friendly Version