FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Feb. 7, 2009 -The Cardinals (14-7, 6-4 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) watched Illinois Wesleyan drain 10 of 16 three-point attempts in the game, including a triple in the final seconds with the game in the balance, to defeat a North Central team which beat the Titans, 77-70, on their home court Jan. 10.
The lead changed hands seven times in the first half. A three-pointer by IWU's Travis Rosenkranz afforded the visitors a 36-34 lead with 1:44 on the clock, but a jumper and two free throws by Chris Drennan (Sr., Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) put the Cardinals in front, 38-36. Rosenkranz made a charity toss with four seconds left and North Central owned a 38-37 edge at the break.
The Titans got a jump shot by Doug Sexauer and a three-pointer by Jordan Morris to pull ahead early in the second period, and led by as many as six points midway through the period. Trailing, 66-61, the Cardinals got six straight points from Matt Rogers (Sr., Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) to regain the lead at 67-66 with 3:52 to play.
IWU's Jordan Zimmer knocked down a triple, which was answered in kind by Reid Barringer (Jr., Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore), but a layup by John Koschnitzky and a free throw by Sean Johnson allowed the Titans to get back on top, 72-70. Drennan sank one free throw in a two-shot trip to the line with one minute left, but Rosenkranz drilled a three-pointer with 35 seconds left to put Illinois Wesleyan ahead, 75-71, and the Cardinals were unable to respond.
Rogers led all scorers with 21 points, while Drennan scored 19 and Mitch Raridon (Sr., Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Northeast) added 11. Drennan is now just nine points short of becoming the 21st 1,000-point scorer in North Central history.
Rosenkranz tallied 18 points for the Titans (12-9, 4-6 CCIW), with Sean Johnson totaling 17 and Koschnitzky scoring 10.
The Cardinals travel to Carthage College (14-7, 6-4) on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Unable to slow down a deadly perimeter shooting onslaught by its opponent, the North Central College men's basketball team was dealt a 77-71 loss by the Illinois Wesleyan University Saturday evening at Gregory Arena.
