BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – University of Chicago men's basketball was back in action for the first time in a week and continued their long road trip with an in-state battle at (RV) Illinois Wesleyan. The Maroons kept things close and held a second half lead but couldn't stop the Titans from pulling away in a six point loss.

FINAL SCORE
UChicago – 69
(RV) Illinois Wesleyan – 75

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Things got off to a good start for University of Chicago (3-2) as the Maroons opened the contest with a 15-4 run. Their 11-point lead would hold up at 25-14 with 9:25 left to go in the first half before (RV) Illinois Wesleyan (4-2) started to whittle it down.
• The Titans got the UChicago lead down to two by the end of the first period, but the Maroons still led wire to wire in the opening 20 minutes off 41.9 percent shooting from the field and seven made shots from downtown.
• However, the second half was a different story. The Maroons shot better in the stanza at an even 48 percent from the field but couldn't slow down IWU who went 15-for-26 in the period.
• The Titans finally took over the lead with a three pointer with 11:34 remaining, and while UChicago would get back within two a few minutes later, they wouldn't be able to reclaim the lead in a 75-69 road loss.

UCHICAGO STAT TRACKER
Points – Joe Berry (18)
Rebounds – Luke Smith & Bryce Hopkins (6)
Assists – Bryce Hopkins (4)
Steals – Joe Berry (2)
Blocks – Phillip Lawrence (2)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Maroons will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Michigan to take on Kalamazoo. Game time is set for 7:00 pm eastern time.

For up-to-the-minute University of Chicago Maroons news, visit www.athletics.uchicago.edu. You can also follow us on Twitter @uchicagoath and @uchicagoathletics on Instagram.