Kenosha, Wis. - The No. 21-ranked Wheaton College men's basketball team had its five-game win streak broken in an 80-74 loss to Hope College in the CCIW/MIAA Challenge on Saturday. Wheaton falls to 5-2 on the season while the Flying Dutch improve to 2-3.
The first half played very evenly throughout. Wheaton held a 22-16 lead midway through the period, but Hope rallied back to take a three-point lead 34-31 late in the half. However, the Thunder scored the last four points to take a 37-36 lead into halftime. Andrew Jahns scored 12 of his 21 points in the first stanza, hitting 3-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
After being limited to 1-of-6 shooting from the field in the first half, Wheaton forward Tim McCrary came out strong in the second half by hitting his first three shots. While the score was tied 53-53 with 13 minutes left, Hope's offense opened a seven-point lead that they would keep the rest of the game. The Thunder could get not get closer than a three-point deficit the rest of the game.
In the battle of the paint, both teams pulled down 32 rebounds. Hope dished out 20 assists compared to 12 assists by Wheaton.
The Thunder were held to 43.6 percent shooting from the field (24-for-55) and only 33.3 percent from three-point range (7-for-21). Wheaton put together an 82.6 percent showing on free throws (19-for-23).
McCrary led the offense with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jahns tallied 21 points and Spencer Schultze chipped in 13 points.
The Flying Dutch shot 55.2 percent from the field (32 of 58), 63.6 percent from beyond the arc (7 of 11) and 64.3 percent on free throws (9 of 14). David Krombeen led the way with 17 points and Logan Neil scored 14 points.
The Thunder returns home for a 7:30 PM game vs. Trinity International University on Thursday.