By Andy Dahn
CHICAGO – The Illinois Wesleyan Titans got off to a hot start against the University of Chicago Maroons, but the Titans were cooled off in the second half en route to a 74-57 loss.
IWU is now 4-4 on the season.
Despite the Titans jumping out to a 14-2 lead to start the game, hot shooting powered the Maroons to a comeback. After the Titans trailed by just one at halftime, 10 unanswered points to start the second half allowed the Maroons to begin pulling away.
PODCAST: Interview with IWU coach Ron Rose on WJBC.
PODCAST: Interview with IWU senior Ryan Coyle on WJBC.
The Maroons dominated the game on the boards with 37 rebounds and shot nearly 47-percent from the field. The Titans struggled from three, sinking only 5 of 16 treys. Trevor Seibring led the Titans with 20 points and 7 rebounds.
Head coach Ron Rose said his team must put this loss behind them and work towards better play.
“We haven’t been 4-4 in a long time,” Rose said. “We hope we can figure this out and find a way to play that allows us to be successful. We also hope to get healthy. Right now, our goal is to keep competing, get better and put ourselves in a position where we can have a good conference season.”
IWU senior Mike Marietti left the game early in the first half with an apparent knee injury, He missed the first five games of the season after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus. His status is unclear.
The Titans travel to San Antonio for the Trinity Classic, where they will take on Southwestern University on Friday.
Andy Dahn can be reached at andy.dahn@cumulus.com.
