NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's basketball team nearly pulled off its biggest win in years on Saturday afternoon in its last non-conference contest of the season, playing toe-to-toe with North Central College all the way to the end before the Cardinals pulled out a 67-63 victory over the Blueboys. IC will now head back into Midwest Conference play with an overall record of 3-9.
In Head Coach
Steve Schweer's return to where he earned a CCIW title and two NCAA Tournament appearances as an assistant, the Blueboys came close to notching an upset over a North Central team ranked just outside the D3hoops.com Top 25. The game started very well for Illinois College and the team was able to grab its largest lead of the game, 24-18, on a
Trevor Otten three-pointer with less than six minutes remaining in the first half. Led by Connor Raridon, North Central was able to close out the half with a surge to take a 35-31 lead into the break.
The Cardinals extended their lead to seven early in the second half, but Illinois College came back to tie the score with a 7-0 run that included a pair of baskets from North Central transfer
Kane Wildermuth. A
Caleb Frederking triple leveled the contest at 42-42 with 15 minutes remaining and he then put the Blueboys on top, 47-44, on his second three of the day with 13:49 to play.
With the score knotted at 51-51, North Central broke away to take its largest lead with a 9-0 run. A
Sean McDonald turnaround jumper finally broke the run with less than eight minutes to play and the Blueboys then fought their way back, pulling within two, 65-63, with just under a minute remaining on a
Mason Speer steal and layup.
After forcing a North Central turnover, Illinois College had the possession with less than 30 seconds remaining but Speer's layup attempt was blocked at the last moment by Blaise Meredith. Forced to foul to keep the game alive, the Blueboys got a break when Matt Cappelletti missed the front end of a one-and-one, but the rebound was batted around and Cappelletti eventually corralled it and IC had to foul him again. Cappelletti took advantage of the second chance, knocking down both foul shots to clinch the win.
Speer and Wildermuth each scored 12 points to lead Illinois College on the day.
Riley Mehrens added 10 points and the trio of Frederking, Otten and
Trae Robinson III all had six points off the bench. Raridon scored 24 for the Cardinals.
The Blueboys come back to Sherman Gymnasium on Jan. 2 to host St. Norbert College. Tip-off of the men's game is slated for 7:30 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's contest.
