By: Brandon Fishburn had 13 points on the day for IC, who were held to 40 percent shooting in the loss.
Box Score DALLAS – Facing a highly-touted opponent on its home floor, the Illinois College men's basketball team suffered an 80-66 loss against the University of Dallas on Tuesday to close out the two-game road trip through the Lone Star State. Three players scored in double-figures for the Blueboys, led by
Brandon Fishburn's 13 on the afternoon.
The University of Dallas came into today's contest ranked No. 2 in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and showed why early on.
Max Stutsman and
Cody Hildebrand hit early field goals to put Illinois College on top, 4-2, but a 10-0 run from the Crusaders followed to put UD ahead, 12-4. Two free throws from Fishburn brought IC within seven, 20-13, with less than 10 minutes to go until the break, but Dallas pulled ahead, 40-26, at halftime.
In the opening minutes of the second half, the Blueboys were able to make a push to close the deficit. Down 45-28, a 7-0 run was started by Stutsman and ended with field goals from
Blake Shehorn and Fishburn to close within 45-35. The Crusaders were able to answer with a 6-0 run and soon led by more than 20 points. The lead crested at 30 points for the University of Dallas in the final eight minutes before a late push from IC closed the team to within 14.
Hildebrand and Stutsman joined Fishburn in double-figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Stutsman and
Mitchell Patterson tied for team high honors with five rebounds on the day.
Illinois College goes back into Midwest Conference play for its remaining 13 games of the regular season. The Blueboys start with a Jan. 3 road trip to take on Carroll University at 3 p.m.
