BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - For a second consecutive season the Benedictine University men's basketball team opened the season with a close win over nationally ranked Illinois Wesleyan University, kicking off the 2015-16 year by claiming an 88-86 win at the buzzer on the road Saturday night.

FINAL SCORE
Benedictine 88, Illinois Wesleyan 86

THE DETAILS
• Luke Johnson put home a John Dodson miss on a long rebound at the buzzer to send Benedictine to a win, moments after Illinois Wesleyan hit a three to tie the game
• Benedictine trailed for the first part of the opening half, falling behind by as many as seven points
• Benedictine used a 9-0 run to take the lead for the first time on a three-pointer from Johnson at 17-15 with 9:36 left in the first
• A quick 9-0 run lasting just over a minute late in the first put Benedictine ahead 39-31 after a Brayden Olson triple
• Benedictine led 46-42 at the half and held the lead until the mid-point of the second
• Illinois Wesleyan led by eight points before Benedictine again took the lead with just over three minutes left, setting up the frantic finish
• The game featured nine ties and nine lead changes
• Illinois Wesleyan was ranked 24th in the preseason D3hoops.com Top 25
• Last year, Benedictine upset the fifth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan 61-60 at home in the season opener

FROM THE COACH
"We put together a great effort tonight in a tough environment," head coach Keith Bunkenburg said. "Our kids overcame a lot to grab a win at one of the hardest places to play in the country. I am very proud of our team for coming from down eight points in the second half to finish the game."

STAT LEADERS
• Benedictine shot 55.6 percent from the floor in the first half and finished the game shooting 50.8 percent
• Benedictine held a 37-32 advantage on the glass
• Illinois Wesleyan attempted 33 free throws, making 30
• Michael Blaszczyk led all scorers in the game with 23 points, one of four players to score in double figures
• Adam Reynolds notched 12 points while snaring seven rebounds
• Johnson tallied 11 points and John Dodson finished with 10 while Tahron Harvey dished six assists
• The starting five accounted for 65 points

UP NEXT
Benedictine (1-0) takes on another member of the CCIW in Wheaton College on Tuesday night at home as part of a doubleheader with the women, who play Alverno at 6:00 p.m.