By Nick McClintock
ELMHURST- The Illinois Wesleyan Titans couldn’t start the new year on a good note, as the #6 Elmhurst Bluejays spoiled the CCIW season opener for the Titans Saturday afternoon. The Bluejays used a second half opening run to bring down the Titans 78-64.
The game started as a back and forth affair, with the largest lead being just four points, coming for the Titans at the 9:58 mark of the first half.
Rebounds became a turning point late in the first half, as the Bluejays beat the Titans on the boards 21-14. Elmhurst used the second and third chances to retake, and lengthen their own lead. The Bluejays would balloon their lead up to 10 before a last second three-pointer by Joel Pennington of the Titans made the halftime score 41-34 Elmhurst.
The lead would grow for the Bluejays in the second half, going up to 12 before IWU could attempt a rally.
The Titans used a few substitutions and some big shots to drop the lead down to six at 51-45, but Elmhurst would retain a 10 point advantage at the midway point of the second half. Each time the Titans would begin a rally, the Bluejays slammed the door down the stretch.
Illinois Wesleyan was led in scoring Bryce Dolan with 17. Elmhurst’s Kyle Wuest led the Bluejays with 19.
