Men's Basketball Drops Exhibition Contest At Illinois 83-67

The Northwood University men's basketball team dropped an 83-67 exhibition contest at Illinois Sunday night (November 3).

The game was the final exhibition contest for both teams.

Illinois got off to a strong start in the game, scoring the first 12 points of the game.  The Illini eventually went up 41-17 before the Timberwolves went on a big run to get back into the game. Northwood finished the first half on a 17-4 run to make the score 45-34 at halftime.  The Timberwolves shot 33.3 percent from the floor (13-39) but grabbed 11 offensive rebounds to stay close.

Northwood kept their run going early in the second half.  The Timberwolves eventually out-scored the Illini 31-6 in a stretch from late the first half through the 13:05 mark of the second half.  That run put the Timberwolves on top 48-47.

The Illini responded to the Northwood run, however.  Illinois scored 21 of the next 30 points to go up 68-55.  Northwood got closer than nine the rest of the way.

For the game, Northwood finished at 37.7 percent from the floor (26-69).  Illinois shot 42.4 percent (25-59).  Illinois finished with a slight 42-40 edge in rebounding, and both teams finished with 11 turnovers.  The foul line is where Illinois earned the win, out-scoring the Timberwolves 23-6 at the stripe.

Wes Wilcox (Roselle, Ill./Harper) led all scorers in the game with 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds.  Will Bowles (East Detroit, Mich./South Lake) added a double-double of his own, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds.  Joe Ruhlman (Freeland, Mich.) and Dylan Langkabel (Morristown, Ind.) each scored eight.

Northwood will open the regular season against Illinois-Springfield in a neutral site contest.  Saturday afternoon (November 9).  Game time is set for 1 p.m.