ELMHURST, Ill. – Jake Rhode totaled a game-high 24 points to help lead the Elmhurst University men's basketball team to a 79-61 road win at Millikin University.

Elmhurst, ranked seventh in the latest D3hoops.com poll, improved to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the CCIW with the victory while Millikin slid to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in league play.
 
Elmhurst trailed only once in the contest when Millikin held a 4-2 lead after four minutes of action. The Bluejays promptly heated up, scoring nine straight points to take an 11-4 lead. The Bluejays quickly pushed their lead up to 12 before Millikin managed to close to within six points with five minutes left to play in the half. Elmhurst closed the half on a 14-8 run to carry a 42-30 lead into halftime.
 
Millikin came no closer than an 11-point deficit in the second half as Elmhurst pulled away for the win. The Bluejays led by as many as 22 points before coasting to the 18-point victory.
 
Elmhurst shot 49.2 percent (31-of-63) from downtown, including 25.0 percent (5-of-20) from downtown. The Bluejays won the battle inside, outscoring Millikin 44-20 in the paint and outrebounding the Big Blue 39-30.
 
Rhode finished with a game-high 24 points while shooting 7-of-12 from the floor and 8-of-8 from the foul line. He added six rebounds and five assists in the victory Dominic Genco came off the bench to score 18 points, shooting 8-of-12 while also added five rebounds. Ocean Johnson finished with 13 points while Wesley Hooker totaled nine points, five rebounds and four steals. Jonathan Zapinski and Jay Militello added six points apiece for Elmhurst.
 
Millikin finished the game shooting 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the field, including 33.3 percent from 3-point distance (7-of-21). Scott Gowan came off the bench to lead the Big Blue in scoring, totaling 21 points while shooting 8-of-11 from the floor and connecting on four 3-pointers. Jake Hampton added 12 points while Demarcus Bond scored eight for the Big Blue.
 
Elmhurst travels to North Park University on Saturday, December 11.