BLOOMINGTON, IL – Two extended first half runs were the ultimate undoing for the Wilmington College men's basketball team Saturday as the Fightin' Quakers fell to host Illinois Wesleyan, 84-61, in the first round of the Holiday Inn Express West Tip-Off Tournament.

"We came out strong against a very good team," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "We learned how hard you have to compete for 40 minutes per game if we are going to win at a championship level."

Wilmington (0-2) will play Fontbonne (1-2) 3 p.m. Sunday in the consolation game. The Griffins fell to Rose-Hulman Saturday, 81-61.

"The best part about the tournament is you immediately can come back after a tough loss," said Hunt. "We are excited to compete against a tough Fontbonne team and get on the winning side of the ledger."

The Fightin' Quakers got off to a blistering start, scoring the game's first six points, and maintain the lead through nine minutes. However, the Titans took their first lead of the game with an 11-2 run and the teams traded the advantage until IWU ended the half by scoring 11 of the last 15 points. The last spurt enabled the host to take the lead for good.

After the 11-4 spurt to end the first half, the Titans scored the first 10 points of the second half to really put WC behind the proverbial eight-ball.

Senior Zach McCorkle (Cincinnati, OH/Winton Woods) finished with 16 points and six rebounds to lead the Fightin' Quakers. Freshman Brandon Smith (Lebanon, OH/Lebanon) added 15 points, while sophomore Travis Gleason (Reynoldsburg, OH/Reynoldsburg) and freshman Will Patrick (Chester, PA/Pickerington Central (OH)) combined to distribute six of Wilmington's eight assists.