The Benedictine University men's basketball team fell behind early and could not complete a comeback, dropping an 86-82 non-conference decision to visiting Illinois College.
Illinois College scored the first 11 points of the game and did not trail.
Hudson Parker posted a rebound basket with 9:51 left in the first half to draw Benedictine within 17-14. A three late in the first half again pushed the lead to double figures for the visitors , who took a 38-29 edge into the break. Benedictine was slowly able to chip at the deficit in the second half, but the visitors had an answer for every run.
Tanner Resch converted on a jumper to bring Benedictine within 53-51 at the 11:28 mark of the second but the team could pull no closer. A basket from
Ryan Tucker with 3:40 left brought Benedictine within 73-69 with just over three minutes to play but a 7-0 run saw Illinois College again ahead by double figures.
Benedictine shot just 29 percent in the first half but finished the game at 40.6 percent after posting a 51.4 mark in the second. Benedictine held a 32-30 advantage on the glass.
Patrick Mayfield led four players in double digits with 22 and added six boards. Tucker came off the bench to tally 16. Resch and
Brandon McCoy both logged 14.
Benedictine (3-8) returns to conference play on Saturday by hosting Rockford at 1:00pm.
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