INDIANAPOLIS - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team went up against its second Big East Conference opponent in a four-day span as the Titans took on Division I Butler University inside historic Hinkle Fieldhouse Wednesday night, Oct. 30. Illinois Wesleyan came out strong, but ultimately faded in a 88-47 defeat.

Illinois Wesleyan jumped on top as senior Nick Roper (St. Louis, Mo.-MICDS) hit a three-pointer in transition, before sophomore Mason Funk (Normal, Ill.-University High) crashed the offensive boards for a putback to lift the Titans to a 5-2 advantage.

Butler scored the next six points to take a three-point lead, but another relentless rebounding effort by Funk made way for senior Marko Anderson's (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine South) putback. Moments later, Funk drilled a triple to level the score at 10 all into the first media timeout.

A scoring drought midway through the first half allowed Butler to take control as the Bulldogs carried a 43-14 lead into halftime.

The Titans found more of a rhythm offensively with back-to-back three-balls from senior Trey Bazzell (Fairbury, Ill.-Prairie Central) and a strong finish at the rim by senior Harrison Wilmsen (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis Priory). The second half also featured buckets by junior Karlo Colak (Glencoe, Ill.-New Trier), freshman Josh Fridman (Northbrook, Ill.-Glenbrook North), and a free throw from freshman Connor Williams (Palos Park, Ill.-Stagg).

With a pair of exhibition games in the rear-view mirror, Illinois Wesleyan now turns its attention to the official start of the season. The Titans will play host to the fifth annual Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational Friday-Saturday, Nov. 8-9, inside the Shirk Center. The two-day event will feature four ranked teams in No. 2 University of Wisconsin-Platteville, No. 9 Calvin University, No. 16 IWU, and No. 24 Cal Lutheran. The Green and White will square off against 24th-ranked Cal Lu Friday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m., while UWP and Calvin are set to tip at 7 p.m.