Wheaton led the Eagles 33-29 at halftime. Wheaton was leading 41-37 with 13:35 remaining in the game when the Thunder put together a 6-0 run to take its biggest lead of the game with a 10-point advantage in a 47-37 lead with 12:06 left to play. After Wheaton’s run Benedictine countered with its own scoring surge with a 12-2 run to tie the game at 49-49 with 9:02 left in the game. After that point the game saw four ties or lead changes going into the final minute.
The score was tied 66-66 with 38-seconds left in the game when Thunder senior Jordan Kemper collected an offensive rebound and put it back into the basket to give the hosts a 68-66 lead. Benedictine’s Matt Harrison cut to the basket and made an impressive layup to tie the game at 68-68 with 23-seconds remaining in regulation. Harrison was fouled as he made the basket and made the ensuing free throw to convert the conventional three-point play and give the Eagles a 69-68 lead. Wheaton missed a two-point field goal attempt with 13-seconds left and Benedictine grabbed the defensive rebound and the Eagles were immediately fouled and were given two free throw attempts. Benedictine missed both free throw attempts and Wheaton’s Michael Fiddler snatched the defensive rebound with 11-seconds left in regulation, giving his team the opportunity to win the game. Wheaton missed a three-point field goal attempt with three-seconds left, the Thunder collected an offensive rebound and had a tip-in opportunity that fell off of the rim as Benedictine escaped King Arena with the victory.
Thunder junior Johnnie Standard was 8-for-15 from the field, including 3-for-6 from three-point range as he scored a career-high 21 points. Junior forward Michael Fiddler tied his career-high with 15 points, shooting 6-for-7 from the field with seven rebounds. Senior guard Tony Bollier scored 12 points, with six rebounds and five assists. Kemper scored 10 points with seven rebounds, including four offensive caroms. Sophomore John Mohan added eight points and five rebounds.
Harrison led Benedictine with 15 points and five assists. Tim Swanson scored 14 points and Alan Fudge scored 11 points with four assists and four rebounds. Jimmy Franklin scored 10 points, with five rebounds.
Wheaton shot 50% (24-48) from the field, with 25% (4-16) from three-point range and 80% (16-20) from the free throw line. Benedictine posted a 39.1% (25-64) field goal percentage, with 20.7% (6-29) from three-point range and 72.2% (13-18) from the free throw line. Wheaton out-rebounded Benedictine 39-29, however, the Eagles held a 14-10 edge on the offensive glass. Wheaton committed 22 turnovers and Benedictine scored 23 points directly off of those Thunder miscues.
Benedictine vs Wheaton College 12/7/05 7:30 PM at King Arena - Wheaton, Ill. At King Arena - Wheaton, Ill. BENEDICTINE 69, WHEATON COLLEGE 68 BENEDICTINE (3-2) HARRISON, Matt 5-17 3-3 15; SWANSON, Tim 6-11 1-1 14; FUDGE, Alan 3-14 2-4 11; FRANKLIN, Jimmy 4-5 2-4 10; DUSNMORE, Jordan 4-6 0-0 8; OLSON, Andrew 3-3 1-2 7; CARWELL, Jake 0-3 4-4 4; BURRAGE, Chris 0-1 0-0 0; GOODMAN, Aaron 0-1 0-0 0; SHIMKUS, Mike 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 25-64 13-18 69. WHEATON COLLEGE (2-4) Standard, Johnnie 8-15 2-3 21; Fiddler, Michael 6-7 3-4 15; Bollier, Tony 4-10 4-5 12; Kemper, Jordan 4-8 2-2 10; Mohan, John 2-6 3-4 8; Wiele, Andy 0-1 2-2 2; Denham, Phill 0-1 0-0 0; Noell, Dave 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-48 16-20 68. Benedictine................... 29 40 - 69 Wheaton College............... 33 35 - 68 3-point goals-Benedictine 6-29 (FUDGE, Alan 3-7; HARRISON, Matt 2-13; SWANSON, Tim 1-4; CARWELL, Jake 0-1; BURRAGE, Chris 0-1; SHIMKUS, Mike 0-2; FRANKLIN, Jimmy 0-1), Wheaton College 4-16 (Standard, Johnnie 3-6; Mohan, John 1-3; Bollier, Tony 0-4; Kemper, Jordan 0-2; Wiele, Andy 0-1). Fouled out--Benedictine-CARWELL, Jake, Wheaton College-None. Rebounds-Benedictine 29 (OLSON, Andrew 7), Wheaton College 39 (Fiddler, Michael 7; Kemper, Jordan 7). Assists-Benedictine 13 (HARRISON, Matt 5), Wheaton College 10 (Bollier, Tony 5). Total fouls-Benedictine 17, Wheaton College 22.