ELMHURST, Ill.—Elmhurst men's basketball delivered a statement win on Saturday afternoon, edging Illinois Wesleyan 67–66 in a dramatic CCIW battle inside R.A. Faganel Hall. The Bluejays showed poise, balance, and toughness down the stretch, capping the afternoon with a clutch three-pointer in the final 31 seconds to secure the one-point victory.
Elmhurst controlled the tempo early, building momentum behind efficient offensive execution and strong interior play. The Bluejays carried a 33–25 lead into halftime, shooting efficiently in the opening period while forcing Illinois Wesleyan into contested looks from beyond the arc. A mix of veteran leadership and confident play from the younger group allowed Elmhurst to weather multiple early pushes from the Titans.
The second half turned into a back-and-forth affair, featuring seven lead changes and three ties as Illinois Wesleyan clawed its way back into the contest. Despite several momentum swings, Elmhurst repeatedly answered. Vinnie Adjahoungbeta provided a steady presence in the paint, finishing with 12 points on efficient shooting, while Luke Smith added 10 points and five rebounds, knocking down timely perimeter shots to keep the Bluejays within striking distance.
Sebastian Blachut was instrumental in guiding the offense, contributing nine points, five rebounds, and four assists while directing traffic late. Dominic Trelenberg added 13 points, including a key three-pointer midway through the second half that briefly swung the lead back in Elmhurst's favor.
Illinois Wesleyan surged ahead in the closing minutes behind transition baskets, but Elmhurst never flinched. With the Bluejays trailing 66–64 and just over 30 seconds remaining, Jack Cherry rose to the moment, drilling a clutch three-pointer to give Elmhurst a 67–66 advantage. The Bluejay defense then locked in, forcing a turnover on the Titans' final possession to seal the victory.
Elmhurst finished the afternoon shooting efficiently from the field and knocked down eight three-pointers, while holding Illinois Wesleyan to 40 percent shooting overall. The Bluejays also received key contributions off the bench, scoring 17 points from the reserves and consistently matching the Titans' physicality throughout the contest.
With the hard-fought win, Elmhurst improves to 6–2 overall and continues to build momentum early in conference play, showcasing a roster that blends experienced veterans with a confident and exciting young core.
