DECATUR, Ill. - The No. 17 Elmhurst University men's basketball team bounced back with a 76-62 victory over Millikin University Wednesday evening.

Elmhurst (12-1, 5-0 CCIW) had a balanced offensive attack in the matchup, with four players ascending to double-digit scoring. John Ittounas and Tagen Pearson had matching point totals of 16 each, with Jonathan Zapinski and Ocean Johnson also matching with 13 points a piece. Pearson and Zapinski both grabbed nine rebounds, while Ittounas tallied three of Elmhurst's 12 assists on the evening.

Millikin (6-7, 2-2 CCIW) put up a valiant effort, keeping the score within one at the half, but a 42-29 Bluejay scoring advantage in the second half kept the Big Blue at bay. Nate Straughter tallied a game-high 12 points, while JT Welch had 13 points for the hosts.

After a strong defensive effort from Millikin began the game, Elmhurst put up an 11-4 run to force a timeout from the Big Blue and allow the Bluejays to grab an early lead. Millikin knotted the game at 15 and briefly took a lead, and the Bluejay lead would not grow higher than seven with the Big Blue ending with a six-point burst to keep it within one at the half.

Elmhurst would open the second half with a 17-4 scoring run to open a 51-37 lead with 14:38 left in the game. From there, the Bluejays would maintain a double-digit lead through the final minutes of the game to remain undefeated in CCIW action.

UP NEXT

Elmhurst will welcome the rival North Central College Cardinals to R.A. Faganel Hall this Saturday, Jan. 6, at 4:15 p.m. to cap off a doubleheader with the women's basketball team.

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