The University of Chicago men’s basketball team faced off against (RV) Illinois Wesleyan in a high-stakes in-state battle, but unfortunately, they couldn’t hold on to their lead, resulting in a six-point loss with a final score of 69-75.
The game started off on a positive note for the Maroons, as they surged ahead with a 15-4 run, establishing an impressive 11-point lead of 25-14 with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Despite (RV) Illinois Wesleyan’s efforts to narrow the gap, UChicago maintained a lead throughout the first half, displaying a strong shooting performance with a 41.9 percent success rate from the field and seven successful three-pointers.
However, the tables turned in the second half, with UChicago shooting an improved 48 percent from the field but unable to stave off (RV) Illinois Wesleyan’s impressive 15-for-26 performance. The Titans managed to seize the lead with a three-pointer, and despite UChicago’s valiant efforts to close the gap, they were unable to regain the lead, ultimately resulting in a 69-75 loss on the road.
Leading the charge for UChicago was Joe Berry with 18 points, while Luke Smith and Bryce Hopkins both secured 6 rebounds. Hopkins also contributed 4 assists, with Berry making 2 steals and Phillip Lawrence blocking 2 shots.
Looking ahead, the Maroons will have the opportunity to bounce back as they prepare to face Kalamazoo in Michigan on Wednesday at 7:00 pm Eastern Time.
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