The Benedictine University men's basketball team opened the season in style, rallying from down 19 to record a last second win at home over Wheaton by an 85-84 final.

Wheaton scored the first seven points of the game and opened a double-figure lead at the 14:14 mark of the opening 20 minutes. Nathan LaPlant made two free throws to draw Benedictine within 33-28 with 7:03 left in the half. Wheaton utilized a 12-0 run late in the half to open a lead of 48-29 before Patrick Mayfield buried a floater at the horn to cut the margin at the break to 48-31.

Wheaton continued to lead by double figures in the second half. A three-pointer from Mayfield with 6:15 to play brought Benedictine to within nine points at 74-65. Following a bad pass Ryan Tucker converted on a layup to make the score 74-67. The visitors continued to cling to the advantage. Tanner Resch, who had a huge second half, splashed home a pair of free throws to ignite an 8-0 run. Mayfield hit a floater in the lane to hand Benedictine for the first time at 83-82 with four seconds to go. Wheaton countered with two free throws to regain the edge before Mayfield was fouled with just .3 seconds left, hitting two free throws to finish the frantic closing moments.

Benedictine scored 54 points in the second half, shooting 61 percent in the frame. The team finished the contest shooting 45.5 percent from the field, making seven triples. Wheaton shot 54 percent. Benedictine finished +2 on the glass and reeled home 13 on the offensive side. Benedictine held the lead for only three seconds in the contest. Resch finished with 26 points, making nine field goals. Mayfield made his debut with 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Benedictine (1-0) heads to Washington next weekend for a pair of contests.