BOXSCORE

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton Thunder men's basketball team dropped a 68-63 decision to #23-ranked Carthage College on Wednesday night inside Wheaton's King Arena. Wheaton is now 13-7 on the season, with a 5-4 record in CCIW play. Carthage, the CCIW leader, is now 16-4 with an 8-1 record in conference action.

Wheaton led the Red Men 38-37 at halftime of tonight's contest. The contest was tied on four occasions with one lead change over the first 10 minutes of the second half. The score was deadlocked at 49-49 with 10:20 left in regulation when Carthage's Malcom Kelly made a three-pointer to spark a 7-0 run for the Red Men that extended the guests lead to 56-49. Wheaton trimmed Carthage's lead down to two points at 65-63 with 54-seconds remaining when Thunder senior Ben Panner drained a three-pointer. On the ensuing possession Carthage missed a field goal attempt, but the guests collected the offensive rebound and were fouled. Two Red Men free throws extended Carthage's lead to 67-63 with 22-seconds remaining in the game as the guests would earn the victory.

Panner led Wheaton with 22 points, as he shot 4-for-6 from three-point range. Sophomore Tim McCrary scored 20 points, with nine rebounds, six assists and four steals. Jake Carwell scored 10 points, with five rebounds off the Thunder bench.

All-American Steve Djurickovic led Carthage with 44 points and three assists. The Carthage junior shot 15-of-25 from the field, with 4-of-5 from three-point range and he was 10-for-10 from the free throw line.

Wheaton shot 45.1% (23-51) from the field, with 41.7% (5-12) from three-point range and 92.3% (12-13) at the free throw line. Carthage shot a 50% (23-46) field goal percentage, with 54.5% (6-11) from three-point range and 88.9% (16-18) at the free throw line. Wheaton out-rebounded the Red Men 30-22, with an 11-5 edge on the offensive boards.

Wheaton will return to action on Saturday when North Park (10-10/4-5) visits King Arena for a key CCIW matchup. PLEASE NOTE: Saturday's game will start at 5 PM in King Arena, with live in-game statistics and online video, courtesy of WETN. Saturday's game will part of a CCIW doubleheader, with the Wheaton women's basketball team hosting North Park at 7:30 PM in King Arena.