ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst men's basketball team's second-half rally came up short in a 68-57 loss to ninth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
 
Facing the national runner-up from last season, Elmhurst (2-3) played the Titans tight for much of the first half. The two squads traded leads early before Oshkosh (4-1) built an eight-point cushion (25-17) with four minutes left to play. Elmhurst cut the lead down to five, only to see the Titans rip off five straight to open up a 10-point cushion with three minutes left in the half. The Bluejays cut the lead down to six before trailing 36-27 at the half.
 
Oshkosh quickly added to its lead in the second half, extending its advantage to 16-points just six minutes into the half. The Titans led by 15 (59-440 with 6:30 remaining before Elmhurst mounted its rally. The Bluejays ripped off a 9-0 run over the next three minutes, pulling to within six points with 3:42 remaining. Elmhurst came no closer as Oshkosh closed out the contest on a 9-4 run to come away with the 68-57 victory.
 
Elmhurst shot just 34.4 percent (21-of-61) from the floor, including 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from three-point range. Oshkosh finished the contest hitting 52.0 percent (26-of-50) from the floor and dominating the game inside, outscoring Elmhurst 40-18 in the paint.
 
Jake Rhode led Elmhurst in the loss, finishing with 20 points, five assists and three steals. Derek Dotlich added 12 points while Lavon Thomas came off the bench to score eight for Elmhurst. Jeremy Ireland led the team in rebounding, finishing with eight.
 
Adam Fravert, Jacky Flynn, Ben Boots and Brett Wittchow carried the Titans' offense, combining for 60 of the team's 68 points. Fravert led the Titans and all scorers with 22 points while also collecting eight rebounds. Flynn and Wittchow totaled 14 points apiece in the win while Boots chipped in with 10.
 
Elmhurst plays at Millikin University on Wednesday, December 5.