Illinois Wesleyan men survive Carroll upset bid

BLOOMINGTON The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team cast aside a Carroll upset bid Wednesday at Shirk Center.

And it took the Titans overtime to do it.

Marko Anderson scored six points of his eight points in the extra session as No.

3-ranked IWU outlasted Carroll 81-78 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action.

Illinois Wesleyan's Marko Anderson (32) grabs a rebound against Carroll on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Wesleyan completed a perfect January with its seventh straight win while improving to 17-2 overall and 9-1 in the CCIW.

IWU is 3-0 in overtime games.

The Titans are alone in first place in the conference with Carthage at 8-1 and North Park at 8-2.

IWU was cruising with a 27-15 advantage midway through the opening half.

Yet the Pioneers (6-12, 2-7 CCIW) trailed just 39-34 at halftime.

Illinois Wesleyan guard Josh Fridman (4) goes up to shoot against Carroll on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Carroll held a 51-46 second-half edge before a Harrison Wilmsen three-point play at the 3:20 mark handed the Titans a 65-64 lead.

Nick Roper's shot with one second left in regulation could not break a 69-69 tie.

Roper, who hit a key 3-pointer early in overtime, led all scorers with 27 points.

Illinois Wesleyan's Hakim Williams (0) guards Carroll's Aaron Wafford (4) on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Wilmsen and Mason Funk each added 12 points.

Carroll outrebounded IWU 46-41.

Wilmsen grabbed nine rebounds, Anderson eight and Roper seven for the Titans.

Erik Victorson scored 15 of his 20 points in the first half for the Pioneers.

Kobe Simpson supplied 15 points, and Jacob Naber paced the visitors with 10 rebounds.

Illinois Wesleyan Mason Funk (10) goes up to score against Carroll on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Illinois Wesleyan's Marko Anderson (32) grabs a rebound against Carroll on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Illinois Wesleyan guard Josh Fridman (4) goes up to shoot against Carroll on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Illinois Wesleyan's bench celebrates after a three in the forst half against Carroll on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Illinois Wesleyan's Hakim Williams (0) guards Carroll's Aaron Wafford (4) on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

Illinois Wesleyan's Hakim Williams (0) goes up to score against Carroll on Wednesday, Jan.

29, 2025, at Shirk Center.

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