After trailing early, Millikin took control of the first half midway through the period and built a 36-33 lead at halftime.

         The second half was a back-and-forth lead with both teams opening up leads.  Millikin had a 66-63 lead with 6:26 left in the game.  Carthage battled back and took a 67-66 lead with 4:48 remaining on a layup by Tony Pierce, Jr.

Millikin answered with a basket from Tommy Pilackas to go up 68-67 with 4:13 left.  Mike Leazer hit a three-pointer to give Carthage a 70-68 advantage.  Trailing 70-69, Millikin had three opportunities to take the lead, but couldn't get its shots to fall.  Carthage opened up a 73-69 lead, but Millikin stayed in the game late on an Elijah Kinmon layup with eight seconds on the clock to make it 73-71 Carthage.  After the Red Men went one for two at the free throw line, Millikin had a chance to tie at the buzzer, but TJ Sims three-pointer hit the back rim.

         Carthage hit 50 percent from the field while Millikin connected on 43 percent of its shots.  Carthage won the rebounding battle 36-28.

         Pilackas led Millikin with 21 points followed by Sims with 17.  Freshman Nathan Lovekamp added 10 points.  TJ Griffin had nine points and three assists.

         Pierce led Carthage with 29 points.  Jordon Kedrowski added 16.

         Millikin is now 6-6, 0-1 while Carthage goes to 7-5, 1-0.

         Millikin will play at North Central College on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.