Box Score

The Carthage College men's basketball team (13-4, 5-1 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin), ranked 29th in the Jan. 19 “D3hoops.com” poll, defeated CCIW-opponent Millikin University (6-11, 1-5 CCIW), 68-55, on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis. The Red Men remain tied for first place in the conference with Illinois Wesleyan University.

 

Millikin led for most of the low-scoring first half.   Following a 14-14 tie at 5:25, the Big Blue edged out to a seven-point lead, 25-18, at 1:14.  Millikin led by four points at halftime, 27-23. In the second period, the Big Blue took their last lead of the game, 33-32, at 15:55. Following a 33-33 tie at 15:24, Carthage took the lead, to stay, 34-33, at 14:48 on the first of two free throws by Steve Djurickovic. The Red Men quickly built a 10-point lead, 45-35, at 10:39 and led by as much as 16 points on two occasions, the last at 66-50 with 40 seconds remaining. Carthage went to win by 13 points, 68-55, in a workmanlike win for the Red Men.

 

Carthage shot 51 percent (21-41), including 65 percent in the second half (13-20), while Millikin shot 43 percent for the game (19-44). The rebounds were even at 28 for each team. Carthage's Steve Djurickovic (Jr., Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Kenosha-Bradford) scored game-high 24 points on five-of-11 field goals and 14-of-19 free throws, along with five rebounds and nine assists.  Malcom Kelly (Fr., Kenosha, Wis./Reuther)  had 14 points on four-of-seven from the floor and five-of-eight from the free-throw line, while Mitch Thompson (Fr., Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) added 12 points and five rebounds. Joscar Demy topped the Big Blue with 11 points, while Devin Demy had 10 points and eight rebounds. 

“Our zone play was very good in the second half,” said Carthage coach Bosko Djurickovic. “I'm always reluctant to use the zone when you're not ahead, because the other team can control the pace. Millikin plays more of these kinds of game than they would probably like. They're right there, because they just can't seem to finish off games. Their preparation was outstanding. Their physical play was great, and their guarded the right guys. They really persevere. Steve Djurickovic was not extra-sharp tonight, but we had a good effort in the second half, and we'll take it. Mitch Thompson is getting better with each game, and Malcom Kelly had the best ball-handling game he's had all year. North Park is having a breakout season, they think they're pretty good, and I expect a great game on Wednesday.”

Carthage travels to Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 27 to play conference-opponent North Park University (10-7, 4-2 CCIW) in a 7:30 p.m. game at the North Park Gym.