BOXSCORE
Naperville, Ill. – The Wheaton Thunder men’s basketball team lost a 60-58 decision at North Central College on Saturday night. Wheaton is now 13-6 overall and 5-3 in the CCIW. North Central improves to 10-9 on the season, with a 3-5 record in CCIW play. The Thunder will return to action on Wednesday night when CCIW-leader Carthage visits King Arena.
North Central jumped out to a 13-2 lead in tonight’s game and the Cardinals led Wheaton 37-24 at halftime. Wheaton battled back late in the game, getting to within two points of the Cardinals on three different occasions in the final minute, but the guests could get no closer. A Wheaton three-point shot from half court as time expired fell off the rim as North Central picked up the 60-58 victory.
Senior
Ben Panner led Wheaton with 21 points.
Tim McCrary scored 12 points, with six rebounds for the Thunder.
Spencer Schultze grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and scored six points. Junior
John Shackelford scored six points, with five rebounds.
David Twyman led North Central with 21 points and eight rebounds. Reid Barringer scored 16 points for the guests and Derek Raridon added 12 points.
Wheaton shot 32.1% (17-53) from the field, with 38.5% (5-13) from three-point range and 70.4% (19-27) at the free throw line. North Central shot a 43.1% (22-51) field goal percentage, with 50% (4-8) from three-point range and 75% (12-16) at the free throw line. Wheaton out-rebounded the Cardinals 41-34, with an 18-11 edge on the offensive glass.