CHICAGO – The University of Chicago men's basketball team battled Illinois Wesleyan University into overtime, but fell just short at the end in a 67-63 home loss on Tuesday night.

The Maroons and the Titans are now both 6-4 on the season.

Shots weren't falling for UChicago throughout the night, but the Maroons were able to keep the game close the whole way thanks to an active, physical defense that took IWU's offense out of its rhythm. The home team was successful at challenging shots in the paint and on the perimeter, tying its season high with seven blocks.  

Tuesday night's contest in the Ratner Athletics Center featured 14 lead changes and 10 ties during the course of the game. The visiting Titans took its largest lead of the evening at 18-11, but the Maroons countered and soon tied things up with an and-one finish by Elliot Paschal at 18-18.

IWU went into halftime with a 31-30 lead. It was back and forth from that point on. Eamonn Kenah was a big contributor in the second half with nine points, including a layup that gave the Maroons a 57-55 lead in the closing minutes. IWU hit two free throws late to knot things up, and the game went into overtime at 57-57.

UChicago had a chance to tie in the last 10 seconds of overtime. But the three-pointer missed, and IWU hit a free throw on the other end to secure the four-point victory.

The Maroons shot 33.9 percent from the field compared to 41.0 percent by the Titans. The visitors won the rebounding battle 45-38 while turnovers were nearly even at 12-11.

Thomas Kurowski led the squad with 15 points and four assists. Kenah put up 12 points and six rebounds off the bench. Bryce Hopkins added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Paschal chipped in 10 points as well.

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, Dec. 31 @ 1:00 PM – Babson College at UChicago