ELMHURST, Ill. – A second-half run would prove to be the difference, as Elmhurst secured home-court advantage in the first round of the CCIW Tournament with an 81-69 victory over Carroll on Wednesday night inside R.A. Faganel Hall.
The Bluejays and Pioneers battled through a total of 21 lead changes throughout the game, with neither side taking more than a six-point advantage until nearly midway through the second half. The Jays would go on an 18-2 run, holding Carroll without a field goal for almost ten minutes of game time to pull out the win.
Senior Dominic Trelenberg led the way with 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists for Elmhurst, as four players finished in double figures for the home side. Aidyn Boone collected 15 points and six boards, while Luke Smith contributed 14 points and three assists. Vinnie Adjahoungbeta tallied 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds with four assists. Jack Cherry had good minutes off the bench, recording eight rebounds and a team-high five assists in the win.
After four lead changes in the first three minutes of the game, the Bluejays would lead 19-13 following a bucket from Adjahoungbeta at the 12:13 mark of the first half. Carroll would move back in front again with under eight minutes until the halftime break, as both sides would exchange leads 13 more times before the end of the half.
The Pioneers would take a 44-43 lead into the break, and would go back up by one after a three-pointer with 19:21 left in the second, but Elmhurst would respond with a ten-minute run that put the Jays ahead 64-49 with 10:10 remaining following a three from Smith and a jumper from Trelenberg on back-to-back possessions.
Carroll would climb back to within single digits down the stretch, but were unable to pull even as the Bluejays secured their 17th win of the year, improving their record at home to 11-1, and picked up their eighth win in the last nine contests.
Elmhurst returns to Faganel Hall on Saturday, to celebrate Senior Day against North Park. Tipoff with the Vikings on Feb. 21 is set for 4:15 p.m.
