BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Carthage College Red Men saw their six-game win streak come to an end Saturday, as the men's basketball team fell for just the second time in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play, 77-74, to Illinois Wesleyan University.
 
The loss drops the Red Men to 11-4 on the season and 4-2 in the CCIW, while the #22 Titans improve to 12-4 and 4-3 in conference.
 
Jordan Thomas and Mike Stevenson were the Red Men's lone scorers in double figures, as they tallied 18 and 17 respectively.  Brad Kruse finished with seven boards and five assists to lead Carthage in each.
 
The first half saw four ties and ten lead changes as Carthage shot 44.4% on 12-of-27 from the field.  Illinois Wesleyan answered going 12-of-31 in the half and taking a 36-33 lead into the locker rooms at the half.
 
Brad Kruse led the Red Men at the half with nine points, going four-for-seven from the field and with a team-high four rebounds as well.
 
Despite keeping the game close through the first ten minutes of the second half, Carthage still found themselves battling from behind in the second half down 63-57.  Then the Carthage offense came alive with a 10-0 run to take a 67-63 lead, courtesy of eight straight points from Jordan Thomas.
 
Eventually building a five-point lead Carthage would see the Titans fight back from a 71-66 deficit courtesy of second chance opportunities.  Following a Kienan Baltimore layup to give the Red Men a 73-71 lead, the Titans would answer with a 5-0 run, including a three from Brady Rose, to take a 76-73 lead with just over a minute remaining.

Carthage had one last chance trailing 76-74 with eight seconds remaining but Jordan Thomas three from the corner bounced off the rim to give Wesleyan the 77-74 win following a free throw.
 
"Disappointing finish to an excellent college basketball game," said head coach Bosko Djurickovic following the loss.  "We had our chances and couldn't quite finish the job.  This is a tough league with good depth.  Need to get back to work on Monday and be ready for Carroll coming in on Wednesday."

Rose finished as the game's high scorers with 25 points on 9-19 shooting, which included 6-of-11 from deep.
 
The Red Men return to action on Wednesday as Carthage hosts Carroll University in the renewed rivalry.  Tip-off from Tarble is slated for 7:00 p.m.