Chicago, Ill. – The Wheaton men's basketball team returned to action on Saturday night in a non-conference matchup at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). The Scarlet Hawks' strong second half rally led IIT to a 75-72 victory.

Aston Francis led the Thunder with 34 points, making six three-pointers. The senior All-American also grabbed 10 rebounds with eight assists and two blocked shots. Anajuwon Spencer scored 10 points for the guests. Luke Peters tallied nine points, with eight rebounds and four assists. Spencer Peterson scored six points and Trevor Gunter added six points off the Thunder bench.

Anthony Mosley Jr. led IIT with 21 points, nine assists and four steals. Jake Digiorgio scored 14 points with 13 rebounds. Max Hisatake tallied 13 points with five rebounds.

The Thunder shot 43.9% (25-of-57) from the field, including 38.1% (8-of-21) from three-point range. The Scarlet Hawks posted a 39.1% (27-of-69) field goal percentage, including 33.3% (7of-21) behind the three-point arc. The hosts shot 82.4% (14-of-17) at the free throw line and the Thunder had a 60.9% (14-of-23) effort at the charity stripe.

Wheaton scored the first six points of the game and led 15-6 in the first six minutes of tonight's game. The Thunder never trailed in the first half and the guests' largest lead of the game was a 12-point bulge at 29-17 with 7:00 left in the first half. Wheaton held a 41-34 lead at the halftime intermission.

Wheaton led 52-45 with 14:30 left in regulation, but the hosts countered with an 11-3 run to give IIT a 56-55 lead – the hosts' first lead of the contest. Wheaton regained the lead as the Thunder led 60-59 on a Cade Alioth jumper with 7:12 left in the game.

The Scarlet Hawks responded with seven unanswered points to gain a 66-60 lead with 3:10 left in the game. IIT never trailed in the rest of the matchup.

Wheaton returns to action next Wednesday when the Thunder hosts Carthage at 7:00 p.m. in King Arena.