BOXSCORE

Elmhurst, Ill. – The Thunder men's basketball team used a furious second half rally to earn a 79-75 overtime win at Elmhurst College on Saturday night. Wheaton, ranked 22nd in this week's D3Hoops.com Top-25, improves to 13-4 overall and 3-3 in the CCIW. Elmhurst, ranked 13th in the same poll, falls to 13-4 overall and 3-3 in league play.

Elmhurst led by as much as 11 points in the first half and the Bluejays held a 35-29 at halftime. Elmhurst led 44-39 with 16:00 left when the Thunder put together a crucial 19-5 run to give the guests a 58-49 lead with 7:45 left in the game. The Bluejays countered with an 8-0 run to cut the Wheaton lead to 58-57 with 4:45 left in the game. The two squads went into overtime tied 63-63.

Elmhurst led 67-65 with 4:10 left in overtime; however, Wheaton used a 7-0 run to take a five-point advantage at 72-67 with 2:20 left in the overtime session. The Thunder secured the victory when All-American Kent Raymond (PICTURED LEFT) extended Wheaton's lead from 74-71 to 77-71 when he drained a critical three-point basket with 29-seconds left in overtime.

Raymond led the Thunder with 33 points, six rebounds and five assists. Ben Panner (PICTURED RIGHT) scored 18 points, with seven assists. Panner was a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range. Center Andy Wiele scored 16 points, with 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Jacob Carwell scored eight points, with nine caroms.

Brent Ruch scored 16 points, with 13 rebounds to lead the Bluejays. Robert Strzemp scored contributed 16 points, with nine rebounds. Ryan Burks scored 13 points, with 11 rebounds for the hosts.

Wheaton shot 42.5% (31-73) from the field, with 61.5% (8-13) from three-point range and 90% (9-10) at the free throw line. Elmhurst tallied a 35.9% (23-64) field goal percentage, with 25% (5-20) from behind the three-point arc and 92.3% (24-26) from the free throw line. Elmhurst out-rebounded the Thunder 51-34, with a 22-14 edge on the offensive glass.