CHICAGO – The University of Chicago men's basketball team lost to No. 6-ranked Wheaton College by a 77-67 final score on Tuesday night in the Ratner Athletics Center.

The Maroons dropped to 3-2 on the season. The Thunder improved to 5-0.

Back-to-back jumpers by sophomore Elliot Paschal and senior Brandon Beckman gave UChicago a narrow 9-8 lead. But Wheaton scored on its next trip down the floor and did not surrender the lead for the rest of the game. The visitors shot a blistering 61 percent from the field in the first half, including 5-for-11 from long distance.

The Maroons kept themselves within striking distance thanks in part to their defense on Wheaton's leading scorer Nyameye Adom. UChicago goaded the All-American guard into committing seven turnovers in the game, including five in the first half. Adom was held 10 points below his season scoring average, finishing with 14.

A Zach Munson jumper trimmed the deficit down to one point at 27-26. However, Wheaton then scored the next seven points before first-year Thomas Kurowski swished a three-pointer to make it 34-29. As the buzzer sounded at the end of the first half, the visitors were ahead 39-31.

Munson and fellow senior Brandon Beckman each scored 10 points in the second half. Beckman hit a variety of impressive jumpers while being guarded by Adom, while Munson bullied his way into the paint for short hook shots and layups. The senior forward scored twice in close to make the score 43-37. But a 9-0 Wheaton run curbed any momentum

UChicago got within seven points late in the contest. A layup from junior Bryce Hopkins pulled his squad to within 71-64. Ultimately, the Thunder scored on their next four possessions to keep the Maroons at bay.

In the final box score, UChicago shot 42.9 percent from the field and 22.7 percent from beyond the arc (5-22). Wheaton held sway on the boards with a 37-31 rebounding advantage. The Thunder committed 14 turnovers while the Maroons had 10 turnovers.

Beckman recorded a team-high 15 points. Hopkins and Munson put up 14 points each and a combined 13 rebounds. Paschal concluded with 10 points.

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, Nov. 27 @ 3:00 PM – Illinois Institute of Technology at UChicago