Three CCIW men's basketball teams advance to NCAA Sectional round

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – For the first time in College Conference of
Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) history, three teams will take part in the
sectional round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball
Championship.

CCIW champion North Central, along with at-large qualifiers Wheaton
and Illinois Wesleyan all won its regional final game on Saturday to
advance to the sectional round.

It marks the second time in three years that the CCIW will be
represented by two or more teams in the sectionals and fifth-straight
year the conference will have a representative in this round.

Illinois Wesleyan advanced to its second sectional in three years
after a 108-101 double overtime victory against Hope, the No. 1 ranked
team in the country, on Saturday. The Titans last won the national
title in 1997.

North Central’s 72-68 victory over regional host Washington (Mo.) on
Saturday gave the Cardinals multiple NCAA postseason wins for the
first time in the program’s history. The win also gave the Cardinals a
6-1 record against nationally-ranked teams this season as the Bears
came into the game ranked 19th.

Wheaton will make its third sectional appearance in five years after a
73-62 win over Edgewood at Wisconsin-River Falls on Saturday. The
Thunder advanced to the sectional final in 2008 and the sectional
semifinals in 2009.

North Central plays Wittenberg, Wheaton faces Wisconsin-Whitewater and
Illinois Wesleyan plays the College of Wooster in the sectional round
at a time and site to be determined.