The Carthage College men's basketball team (15-8, 8-4 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) defeated CCIW-opponent Elmhurst College (13-9, 5-6, 5th CCIW), 76-56, on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis.  Wheaton College (Ill., 17-6, 10-2 CCIW) remains in sole possession of first place in the CCIW, with Illinois Wesleyan University (19-3, 9-2 CCIW) second, Carthage third and Augustana College (Ill., 17-6, 7-5) fourth.

There were three ties and two lead changes in the first period before Carthage pulled away late in the half.  The Red Men took a 10-point lead, 30-20, at 2:09 and led by 12 points at the break, 34-22. Carthage extended its lead to 20 points, 50-30, at 15:47 and led by as much as 22 points, 69-47, at 3:55.  The Red Men went on to win by 20 points, 76-56.

Carthage shot 50 percent (26-52), including six-of-15 three-pointers, while Elmhurst shot 35 percent (17-49), including just three-of-16 from three-point range.  The Red Men out-rebounded the Bluejays, 39-22.  Carthage got to the free-throw line 20 times and made 18, while Elmhurst converted 19-of-21.

Three Carthage starters scored in double figures.  Malcom Senior (Sr., Skokie, Ill./Niles North) led the way with a game-high 21 points on eight-of-15 field goals, including three-of-four three-pointers, along with a game-high nine rebounds.  Malcom Kelly (Sr., Kenosha, Wis./Reuther) scored 17 points on four-of-nine shooting and eight-of-nine free throws, while Donte Logan (Jr., Evanston, Ill./Skokie-Niles West) chipped in 14 points with five assists.  Will Nixon led Elmhurst with 14 points.

"Rebounding was important tonight" said Carthage coach Bosko Djurickovic, but defensive effort was even more important.  We had two days of very focused practice.  We thought we had a plan to make them work harder for their shots than we did down there, and it really paid off.  Our execution and communication on defense was excellent.  I thought Myles Olson played his best-ever Carthage game, and we had very solid all-around games from Marlon Senior and Malcom Kelly.  Donte Logan also played well, and when he can score, that makes the other team have to guard five instead of four."

Carthage travels to Bloomington, Ill., on Saturday, Feb. 15 to play conference-opponent and No. 5 Illinois Wesleyan University (19-3, 9-2 CCIW) in a 7 p.m. game at the Shirk Center.