ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University men's basketball team continued their winning ways Wednesday evening, cruising to an 88-65 victory over Marian University inside R.A. Faganel Hall.

Elmhurst (7-0, 2-0 CCIW) used a balanced scoring effort and stifling defense to handle the Sabres (0-7, 0-3 NACC) and continue one of their best starts in program history.

The Bluejays have begun the season on a seven-game unbeaten streak, the best start in program history and the best start under head coach John Baines. Elmhurst has also scored 70+ points in all of their games this season, outscoring opponents by an average of 14.7 points per game.

John Ittounas continued his hot streak, notching a team-high 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field, including a 4-for-6 mark behind the arc, to go along with a trio of assists and a pair of rebounds. Tagen Pearson followed closely behind with a 15-point effort that included another four treys. Both Ittounas and Pearson have scored double-digit points in all but one game this season. Jonathan Zapinski grabbed four rebounds and contributed 12 points for the Bluejays, while Ocean Johnson contributed six rebounds and 11 points in the game.

Elmhurst started slow in the first half, falling behind early before opening a 16-8 lead with eight to go in the opening period. The Sabres continued to keep it close, tying the game at 32-all with 2:43 left, and Elmhurst took a slim 40-37 lead into the break.

To begin the second half, Elmhurst rode a 14-4 scoring run to open a 14-point lead with 13:30 to go, and continued to add to the lead thanks to a five-point burst from Matt Woloch. Elmhurst's lead would grow to 27 after a slam from Johnson and would empty the bench in the final minutes, securing a 23-point victory on their home court.

UP NEXT

Elmhurst will host their first basketball doubleheader of the season this Saturday, Dec. 9, serving as the night cap and welcoming in the No. 22 Carthage College Firebirds for a 4:15 p.m. CT first tip with major national and CCIW implications.

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