HANNIBAL, MO. – Da’kari Shelby (Sr.-O’Fallon, Ill.) scored a career high 29 points but Iowa Wesleyan College couldn’t cool off Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College in an 86-79 loss Saturday.
The Trojans shot 68.0% percent in the second half (17-of-25) and hit on 54.2% of their field goal attempts in the game, earning a split in the season series between the two schools. Hannibal-LaGrange made 26 of its 48 shots and out-rebounded IWC to move to 4-7 overall and drop Wesleyan to 4-5 on the season.
The Tigers lost despite committing just four turnovers and getting big games from Shelby and Brett Humpal (Sr.-Decorah, Iowa). Shelby dominated inside, making eight of 16 shots. A 58% free throw shooter in Wesleyan’s first eight games, he also was money at the free throw line, making all 13of his free throw attempts.
Humpal added 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals and made eight of 15 shots and all five of his free throws. The Tigers as a team made 23of 25 free throws (92.0%), but other than Shelby and Humpal no other player scored in double figures.
The Trojans also converted at the foul line, making 25 of 30 free throws (83.3%), and out-rebounded IWC 27-20. HLG also separated from Wesleyan outside the three-point line, making 9 of 20 (45.0%) while the Tigers hit just four of 21.
Hannibal led 36-29 at halftime, finishing the half by scoring seven straight points just after Shelby hit a jumper for the eighth tie between the teams in the first half. The Trojans led the entire second half, leading by as many as 12 early in the half. IWC came back within two points late after Patrick Macki (Jr.-London, England) hit his second straight three-pointer to make it 79-77 with 2:04 remaining. Adam Potts hit a three-pointer for the Trojans as the shot clock wound down, though, and Wesleyan did not seriously threaten again.
Gerrell Wells had 20 points for Hannibal-LaGrange and led four players in double figures. The Trojans committed just nine turnovers.
Wesleyan is back on the court Wednesday when it opens Midwest Collegiate Conference play against William Penn University at 7:30 p.m. in Oskaloosa. Penn comes into the game ranked 17th nationally in NAIA Division II. The Tigers defeated the Statesmen in Oskaloosa last year, knocking off WPU when it was ranked sixth nationally.
For more information regarding the IWC basketball programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
