By Nick McClintock
BLOOMINGTON- The IWU Titans used another late first-half run in an attempt to win their fourth straight CCIW game, but a late run from the other team tied the contest and led to overtime Saturday night at the Shirk Center. The extra frame went poorly for the Titans, and the Cardinals of North Central would steal a win 96-89.
Like the majority of the Titan’s recent games, the contest began with a lot of back and forth play. The largest lead by either team through the first nine minutes of the first half was just four points by North Central.
Midway through the half, the shots began to fall for the Titans, while the lid went on the Cards bucket. IWU used a 16-5 run, including a four minute scoring drought from NCC, gave the Titans a lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the half. IWU would finish strong and go to the halftime break with their largest lead of six points.
The Titans would continue to increase their lead to nine points early in the second half, before North Central would chip the lead all the way back to a single point, at 50-49. However, an 18-10 stretch for the Titans would put the game seemingly out of reach, going up by 14 points with five minutes left.
North Central would again make a push, dropping the Titan advantage back to single digits, and as small as three points at the two minute mark. A 14-3 run by the Cardinals would eventually tie the contest after a long three by North Central’s Connor Raridon tied the contest at 76 with less than a minute remaining.
In the extra frame, North Central would take advantage quickly. The Cardinals would go up by six early in the extra period, as the Titans would stay cold from the field. IWU would get back to within 5 points, but no closer as the Cardinals would ice the game at the free throw line.
Trevor Seibring led the Titans with 26 points, as four Wesleyan players went into double figures. IWU is now 3-2 in CCIW play, and will next play Wednesday at home vs Augustana.
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