BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team will make its 11th advancement to the NCAA Division III championships round of eight after defeating Calvin, 78-64, in the sectional semifinal round Friday, March 14 at the Shirk Center.
 
On Saturday at 7 p.m., IWU (26-4) will face the Dickinson Red Devils (24-6), who defeated Wheaton, 81-71, prior to the Titans' victory. The Titans were also in the final eight in 2010 and 2012.
 
Although the Knights were able to rally to a six-point lead in the first, the Titans regained momentum to lead at half, 40-33.
 
Illinois Wesleyan led 11-5 with 16:11 to play in the first half with nine of those points coming from Victor Davis three 3-point filed goals. But Calvin went on a 10-0 run to grab a 15-11 lead with 11:07 left in the half. The Titans were tied at 28-28 (the only tie of the game) with 3:12 left but IWU closed the half with a 12-5 run and never trailed the rest of the game.

In the second, Calvin got weithin three at 49-46 with 13:30 to play but an 8-0 run extended the IWU lead to 57-46.
 
The Titans and Calvin each had 38 rebounds, the Titans had seven more defensive boards, but the Knights had 15 offensive caroms. Calvin committed 12 turnovers to 10 for IWU.
 
Illinois Wesleyan Statistics, Leaders
Field goal percentage- .453 (24-of-53)
3-point field goal percentage- .370 (10-of-27)
Free throw percentage- .769 (20-of-26)
Junior Jordan Nelson- 22 points
Senior Victor Davis- 19 points, 8 rebounds
 
Calvin Statistics, Leaders
Field goal percentage- .356 (21-of-59)
3-point field goal percentage- .217 (5-of-23)
Free throw percentage- .630 (17-of-27)
Jordan Daley- 12 points, 5 rebounds
Tyler Kruis- 12 points, 5 rebounds