Bloomington, Ill. - The Wheaton men's basketball team traveled to the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University for a matchup against the CCIW-leading Titans. The hosts used a second half rally to earn a 73-64 victory against the Thunder. 

Freshman Soren Richardson scored 18 game-high points for the Thunder tonight, including 13 points in the second half. Richardson made five three-pointers for the guests. Nate Sock scored 13 points, adding six rebounds with two assists. NIck Schiavello tallied a "double-double" with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Kyle Neibch scored eight points.

The Thunder posted a 37.9% (22-of-58) field goal percentage, including 42.4% (14-of-33) behind the three-point line. The Titans shot 46.4% (26-of-56) from the field, including 35.3% (6-of-17) from three-point range. IWU had a 75% (15-of-20) free throw percentage, while the Thunder shot 54.5% (6-11) at the line. IWU had a 33-28 edge in rebounding, with a 6-5 advantage on the offensive glass. 

The Titans jumped out to an 8-3 lead to open the game. Wheaton responded with a 23-5 run that gave the Thunder a 26-13 lead with 10:55 remaining in the first half. Schiavello scored 11 points in the run as the Thunder built up the 13-point lead, Wheaton's largest of the game. A layup by Schiavello and a three-pointer by Neibch were the final baskets of the first half and allowed the Thunder hold an eight-point at halftime as Wheaton led the Titans 35-27. 

Schiavello led all players in scoring in the first half with 10 points, adding seven rebounds with five assists. Sock added nine first-half points with four rebounds. Hakim Williams, Harrison Wilmsen and Mason Funk led the Titans in first-half scoring with five points apiece. 

The Thunder led 40-33 with 17:45 remaining in the second half. The Titans responded with seven-consecutive points to tie the contest at 40-40 with 13:50 remaining in the game. Wilmsen made a three-pointer with 8:35 remaining in the game to snap a 49-49 tie. Wilmsen's trey sparked a 16-2 run for the hosts that gave the Titans a 65-51 lead with 4:20 remaining in the game. The hosts hung on to earn the 73-64 victory.

Wilmsen led IWU in scoring with 16 points, adding five rebounds. Ryan Sroka scored 12 points, while Williams and Nick Roper each added 11 points. Roper collected 10 rebounds.
Wheaton is off until next Wednesday with a return to King Arena. The Thunder host Augustana in a 7:00 p.m. tipoff in one week.