DECATUR — Carthage erased an early double-digit deficit and battled down to the final possession, but the Firebirds came up just short in a 77-74 road setback at Millikin. After trailing by as many as 13 in the opening minutes, Carthage rallied to take the lead in the second half before the Big Blue made the decisive plays late in regulation.

• Final Score: Millikin 77 - Carthage 74
• Location: Decatur, Illinois - Griswold P.E. Center
• Records: Millikin 12-5 (4-4 CCIW), Carthage 11-5 (5-2 CCIW)

• Millikin opened the contest on an 18-5 run, prompting an early timeout from Carthage.
• The Firebirds responded by trimming the deficit to four following a layup by Chris Schlesinger.
• Back-to-back layups from Griffin Daun cut the margin to three heading into halftime.
• Carthage evened the score at 43 early in the second half on a steal and layup by AJ Johnson.
• The Firebirds briefly moved in front as AJ Williams converted a pair of free throws.
• Antuan Nesbitt drained a three-pointer to extend the lead to 57-50.
• Nesbitt followed with a steal and layup to give Carthage a 61-52 advantage.
• Millikin pulled within two at the line, but Riley Brooks answered with a turnaround jumper on the ensuing possession to restore a four-point edge.
• The Big Blue reclaimed the lead on a layup with 59 seconds remaining in regulation.
• Millikin forced a turnover and scored at the other end to go up 73-70 with 27 seconds left.
• Brooks drove the lane on the next possession, but his layup attempt came up short.
• The home team closed out a 77-74 victory.

• Riley Brooks recorded 20 points, followed by Griffin Daun with 14, Ryan Johnson, and Antuan Nesbitt had each had 11. 
• Ryan Johnson led the Firebirds in rebounds with eight, while Daun had five. 
• AJ and Ryan Johnson had three assists. 

"Always a difficult trip coming down to Decatur. They are a well-coached basketball team that's extremely physical in their play. We have been so good at rebounding the basketball, and they just absolutely took it to us on the boards. Lane Thomann is an elite player, and we had no response for him tonight. 

We had our chances late in the game and didn't execute. We missed some free throws late, and our decision-making down the stretch needs to be better. 

We need to bounce back and be ready to go at Elmhurst on Wednesday!"

• Carthage stays on the road facing Elmhurst on Wednesday, January 21, at 7 p.m.