Stempel's Career High 24 Leads Titans Past Thunder

More news about: Illinois Wesleyan

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Illinois Wesleyan junior Andy Stempel knocked in a career-high 24 points to lead the Titans to an 82-66 win over the Wheaton Thunder at the Shirk Center on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

The Titans improved to 7-6 overall and are 1-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Thunder fell to 4-9 this season and 0-2 in league play.

Stempel was among three Titans in double digits as senior Bryce Dolan scored 18 and Ryan Coyle added 13 with a team-high 10 rebounds to account for IWU's first double-double of the season.

Illinois Wesleyan outrebounded the Thunder, 42-32, and had 19 assists for the 31 baskets.

Leading by a 39-33 margin at halftime, the Titans scored the first six points of the second half to build up a 12-point edge. IWU shot 64 per cent from the floor in the second period (16 of 25), pouring in six of seven 3-pointers.

Michael Berg scored 22 points and snared a game-high 11 rebounds and Murad Dillard scored 13 points for Wheaton, whose last lead was a 2-1 advantage 43 seconds into the game. The Titans' largest lead was 20 points at 82-62 with 2:13 remaining.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan hosts Carthage in a 7 p.m. game on Saturday, Jan. 9. The Red Men are also 7-6 overall and 1-1 in the CCIW after an 87-79 home court loss to North Park on Wednesday.