ELMHURST, Ill. – Jake Rhode totaled a game-high double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds to help lead the Elmhurst men's basketball team to an 83-76 season-opening win over Benedictine University.
 
Elmhurst (1-0) fell behind 16-9 just five minutes into the contest, but Benedictine (0-1) went cold from the floor as the Eagles were held scoreless for the next 7:30. Elmhurst took advantage, ripping off a 20-0 run ignited by eight points from Rhode. The Bluejays pushed their lead up to 16 points with four minutes to play after a pair of Derek Dotlich free throws, but Benedictine surged back, closing the half on a 13-6 run to pull to within nine (42-33) at halftime.
 
Benedictine closed to within three points just five minutes into the second half, but Elmhurst responded with a 13-3 run to push its lead back to 13 points with 11:28 remaining. The Eagles managed to chip the Bluejays' lead back to six points, but Elmhurst answered back, reestablishing a 13-points cushion with 4:34 left to play. Benedictine took advantage of four straight Elmhurst turnovers, three of which were offensive fouls, to pull to within five points (75-50) with two minutes remaining. Elmhurst put the game away from the free throw line, hitting 6-of-8 attempts down the stretch to preserve the seven-point victory.
 
Elmhurst shot 45.3 percent (24-of-53) from the floor, including 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from three-point range. Elmhurst was aggressive in going to the basket, resulting in 29 fouls from the Eagles. Elmhurst shot 75.0 percent from the foul line, hitting 27-of-36 attempts.
 
The Bluejays were dominant on the glass, outrebounding the Eagles by 24 (53-29). Elmhurst converted 16 offensive rebounds into 25 second-chance points.
 
Rhode led the way for Elmhurst with a game-high double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 8-of-16 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from downtown while also dishing out two assists. Derek Dotlich added 14 points and eight rebounds while Lavon Thomas came off the bench to add 10 points and seven rebounds. Ryan Patton added eight points while Jeremy Ireland totaled seven points and nine rebounds. Pavlos Marakis chipped in with six points and six boards.
 
Benedictine shot 40.8 percent (29-of-71) from the floor, including 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from three-point distance. Eric Grygo paced Benedictine with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jaquan Phipps added 15 points while Troy Burrows scored eight.
 
Elmhurst hosts Blackburn College on Tuesday, November 20.