BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings fell to the No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Wednesday by a score of 88-79. 

In the opening half, Illinois Wesleyan found the early lead after grabbing the first seven points. The teams traded shots with the Titans finishing the double-digit lead at 14-4. A three-point shot by Ethan Andre moved the difference to seven at 14:46, but Illinois Wesleyan followed with five straight points. Both teams rallied points with a 4-1 run at 8:59, squashing the gap to nine after a layup by Dani Romero. The Vikings found this difference once again after a fast break jump shot by Andre Klaver to make a 31-22 score. The home team pulled ahead and closed out the period with a successful free throw to lead 39-29 entering the halftime break.

Returning to the court, Augie scored first with a pair of shots at the free throw line to get within double-digits. Both teams went back and forth with shots before an 11-5 run by the Vikings closed the scoring difference to eight with 8:11 on the clock. Augustana saw this gap against a minute later after a three-pointer by Eli Aladana to make a 66-58 score. The Titans followed with eight points to hold the double-figure advantage. With 17 seconds remaining, Augie put up five points with three free throws by Jake Willems to create an 87-79 game. Illinois Wesleyan grabbed the final point at the charity stripe to claim the nine-point victory. 

Three Vikings scored double digits, with Willems leading with 25. Cam Atkinson followed with 14 points, while Don Rhoden put up 13. Andre Klaver grabbed six shots off the glass and seven assists.

With the loss, Augie moves to 7-6 on the season and will be back in action on Saturday, Jan.10, for a conference matchup against Elmhurst.