ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst men's basketball team led for most of its matchup with Carthage, but couldn't hold off a late Red Men rally and fell 93-91 in overtime.
 
Derek Dotlich scored the Bluejays' first eight points as Elmhurst (6-14, 2-9 CCIW) ran out to an early 13-5 lead. Dotlich posted 14 points, four assists and four rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. Carthage (14-6, 7-4 CCIW) pulled even briefly at 17, but the Bluejays extended their lead late in the half and took a 42-31 advantage into the break.
 
Elmhurst came out firing in the second half as well, extending a 17-point margin by scoring the first six points of the period. With 13:11 left, Marquis Carter hit from downtown and the Bluejay advantage ballooned to 21. Elmhurst led by double-digits with under six minutes to go, but the Red Men stormed back with a 12-2 run over the next three minutes, tying the game at 75 and setting up a thrilling late-game sequence.

With 2:10 remaining, a pair of Keinan Baltimore free throws pushed the Red Men in front for the first time. With the score still 77-76 and 15 seconds on the clock, Baltimore scored on a tip-in to extend the Carthage lead to three. In the final seconds, Dotlich nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key that sent the game into an extra session.
 
Carter hit from distance on Elmhurst's first possession of overtime and the Bluejays led by as much as five, but Carthage roared back again late. In the final minute, Derek Mason converted a three-point play and, after Carter split a pair of free throws on the other end, Drew Joiner tied the game with a three-pointer. After an Elmhurst turnover, Brad Kruse was fouled on his way to the basket with three seconds left. He hit both free throws and Elmhurst's prayer at the buzzer went unanswered as Carthage escaped with the win.
 
Dotlich led the Bluejays, scoring 24 points, pulling down eight rebounds, and dishing out six assists. Carter (18 points), Jalen Loving (15 points, 15 rebounds), and Ryan Patton (14 points) also scored in double figures. Elmhurst shot 79-percent from the free-throw line and outrebounded the Red Men 48-40.
 
Five Red Men scored double-digit points with Baltimore (15 points), Joiner (14) and Mason (11) helping Carthage to 45 bench points.
 
The Bluejays travel to Wheaton College this Saturday, February 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.