The Millikin men's basketball team closed out 2019 in thrilling fashion upsetting 10th ranked Washington University-St. Louis on December 31 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Illinois.

         The Big Blue scored the game's opening basket, but trailed for the rest of the first half going to the locker room down 31-28. In the second half, the Bears pulled out to a 10-point lead with 10:54 left in the game, but the Big Blue stayed in the game until the final three minutes when Millikin made its move. 

         Senior Zach Fisher gave Millikin a 59-57 advantage with a three-pointer with 2:43 left in the game.  Justin Hardy's basket brought the Bears back to tie at 59-59.  Spencer Boehm made two free throws to put WashU up 61-59 with 1:10 remaining.  Senior Korbin Farmer tied the game at 61-61 with a layup with 48 second left on the clock.  After a Bears turnover, Calvin Farmer made the game winner with a tip in with three second remaining. 

         Millikin shot 38.6 percent from the field (22-57) and went 6-22 (27 percent) from three-point range.  The Bears made 20-53 (37.7 percent) from the field going 6-20 (30 percent) from three-point range.  Millikin won the rebounding battle 38-36 and forced WashU into 18 turnovers while committing 15. 

         Zach Fisher led Millikin with 18 points and five rebounds.  Calvin Fisher had 15 points and six boards.  Farmer finished with seven points and seven rebounds.

         Hardy had a double double for the Bears with 18 points and 10 rebounds.  Jack Nolan had 14 points followed by Charlie Jacob with 11.

         Millikin is now 3-9 on the season while the Bears go to 9-2.

         The Big Blue play at Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, January 4 at 4 p.m. returning to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action.