ELMHURST, Ill. – The No. 23 Elmhurst University men's basketball team defeated Manchester University 88-72 Tuesday evening inside R.A. Faganel Hall.

The Bluejays (5-0, 0-0 CCIW) continued to roll in the early non-conference slate, leading for all but two minutes in the contest. Ocean Johnson turned in another stellar performance with a team-leading 18 points, while John Ittounas provided 15 points and six rebounds to go with three assists in the contest. Reigning CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week Jonathan Zapinski had a quiet scoring night with just two points, but was able to grab 11 rebounds and block three shots.

Manchester (0-4, 0-0 HCAC) was led by Ty Lynas who tallied a game-high 19 points, and Mike Elliot who blocked five shots on the evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Spartans were able to grab a quick three-point lead thanks to a layup and a trey, but the Bluejays retook the lead on a Wesley Hooker fastbreak layup. Ittounas provided the early spark for Elmhurst, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the first half, helping the Bluejays to an early five-point lead. Myles Thomas helped spark a 15-5 scoring run with a pair of layups on his way to 11 points in the contest, pushing the Bluejay lead to 16 before a last-second three-pointer by the Spartans moved the score to 46-33 Elmhurst heading into the half.

Hooker helped Elmhurst begin the second half strong, providing seven points in the first five minutes to extend the Bluejay lead. A pair of Anthony Scales free throws moved the lead to 24, the largest of the game, with less than ten minutes to go. The Spartans were able to tighten the game thanks to a nine-point burst, but the Bluejay bench led by Kole Hornbuckle's six points was able to hold off Manchester and come away with the 16-point victory.

UP NEXT

Elmhurst will pause for Thanksgiving break before returning to R.A. Faganel Hall next Wednesday, Nov. 30 to open CCIW play, welcoming in Illinois Wesleyan for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.

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