ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst men's basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season with a convincing 72-48 victory over Westminster College in the CCIW/SLIAC Challenge.
 
With opening season wins over Westminster and Greenville, the Bluejays avenged a pair of losses at the start of the 2013-14 season.
 
With the score even at 11-11 just six minutes into the contest, Elmhurst used a 23-6 run over the next 10 minutes to build a 17-point lead at 34-17. Westminster responded with a 12-1 run to pull to within six points with just under two minutes left in the half. Elmhurst finished the half with an 8-2 run, keyed by back-to-back three-pointers from Peyton Wyatt and Bryant Ackerman. Elmhurst led 43-31 at the half.
 

Leading by 12 midway through the second half, the Bluejays put the game out reach, outscoring Westminster 17-5 for the remainder of the game to pull away for the 24-point victory.
 
Elmhurst shot 43.6 percent from the field (24-of-55), including 33.3 percent (7-of-21) from three-point range. The Bluejays went to the free throw line 24 times, hitting 17 (70.8 percent). Elmhurst also controlled the glass, outrebounding Westminster 40-28. Elmhurst turned 13 offensive rebounds into 18 second chance points.
 
Twelve different Elmhurst players put points on the scoreboard in the victory. Jalen Loving scored nine of his game-high 15 points in the second half to lead all scorers. Erik Crittenden narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds while also blocking three shots. Bryant Ackerman added 11 points and five assists while Kyle Wuest came off the bench to score eight. Kenny Payonk chipped in with five points while Pat Coleman, Nathan Rogers and James Pupilo all contributed four points apiece.
 
Westminster shot 38.0 percent (19-of-50) from the floor, including 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from downtown. Brandon Moore led the squad with 13 points in the loss. Matt Murphy added 11 while Jordan Jensen scored eight.
 
Elmhurst travels to Trine University on Wednesday, November 19.