The Carthage College men's basketball team (12-6, 5-2 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) moved into a four-way tie for first place in the CCIW on Saturday night, Jan. 25 with an 80-73 upset win over No. 4 Illinois Wesleyan University (15-3, 5-2 CCIW) at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis. 

Along with Carthage and Illinois Wesleyan, the other tied teams are No. 13 Augustana College (Ill., 15-3, 5-2) and Wheaton College (Ill., 12-6, 5-2).

Carthage jumped out to a 22-12 lead at 10:44, and the Red Men led by as much as 14 points in the first period, 32-18, at 6:04.  The Titans closed to within five, 41-36, at 1:00 and trailed by seven at halftime, 43-36.  The Red Men went up by 10 points, 50-40, at 15:56, and still led by 10, 55-45, at 10:24.  Illinois Wesleyan closed to within three, 57-54, at 7:08, but Carthage went back up by 10, 70-60, at 4:02.  After the Titans closed to within three again, 72-69, at 1:57, a jumper by Malcom Kelly at 1:25 put the Red Men up by five, 74-69.  That was enough, as Carthage went on to win by seven points, 80-73.

Carthage shot 53 percent (27-51), including 11-of-21 three-pointers, while Illinois Wesleyan shot 45 percent (29-65), including nine-of-28 from three-point range.  The Red Men got to the free-throw line 22 times and made 15, while the Titans connected on six-of-12 free throws.  IWU out-rebounded Carthage by a 35-31 margin. 

Carthage's (Sr., Kenosha, Wis./Reuther), this weeks' CCIW "player of the week" for the second-straight week, scored a game-high 25 points, 15 of those in the first half.  Kelly connected on eight-of-14 field goals, including five-of-eight three-pointers, and four-of-six free throws, along with four rebounds.  Marlon Senior (Sr., Skokie, Ill./Niles North) scored 20 points on six-of-10 shooting, including three-of-four three-pointers, and five-of-six free throws, along with seven boards and three assists.  Reese Herth (Jr., Morton, Ill./Skokie-Niles West) added 13 points.  Four Illinois Wesleyan starters scored in double figures, with Andrew Ziemnik leading the way with 15 points and eight rebounds.  Victor Davis had 12 points and a game-high 10 boards, Dylan Overstreet 11 points and four assists, and Pat Sodemann chipped in 10 points.

"This was a great college basketball game in an outstanding atmosphere," said Carthage assistant coach Steve Djurickovic.  "We came out ready to go, and it always helps when you make all of your shots in the first half.  Illinois Wesleyan has shooters all over the building, and we knew we had to key on that.  We also knew we had to win the rebounding battle.  Our guys took all that to heart, and they did a great job.  Malcom Kelly's shooting percentages are off the charts right now, and he hits big shots at big times.  It's exciting to see him succeed, because he's such a good guy, and he wants this so much.  He comes out ready to play every day.  We wanted to maximize our possessions, and we wanted to keep the ball moving."

Carthage plays host to CCIW opponent North Park University on Wednesday, Jan. 29 in a 7 p.m. game, also at Tarble Arena.