NAPERVILLE --- The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s basketball race delivered another week of defining moments, highlighted by late-game heroics, nationally ranked contenders asserting themselves, and a tightly packed middle of the standings continuing to take shape.
 
Wheaton’s Soren Richardson provided the week’s signature shot at the buzzer, while Illinois Wesleyan climbed the national rankings behind sustained efficiency on both ends of the floor.
 
Elsewhere, Carthage extended its hold atop the standings, Carroll rediscovered momentum and several rivalry results underscored the parity that continues to define conference play as January intensifies.
 
At the Horn: Richardson Delivers Again
Wheaton junior guard Soren Richardson delivered one of the defining weeks of the CCIW season, earning his second Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week honor on Monday.
 
Richardson authored a dramatic road victory at North Central last Saturday, converting a one-legged, buzzer-beating three-pointer to secure a 72-71 win after the Thunder trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half. The basket marked Wheaton’s first true buzzer-beater since February 2020.
 
He followed with a season-high 33 points in an 88-76 victory at Millikin on Wednesday, shooting 11-of-19 from the field and tying his career high with six three-pointers. The performance ranks as the third-highest individual scoring output in a CCIW game this season. 
 
Richardson leads the conference at 21.9 points per game, as Wheaton improved to 10-5 overall and 4-2 in league play. The Thunder rank third nationally in three-point percentage (39.6) and 11th in overall field-goal percentage (49.7).
 
Built on Defense: Titans Rise to No. 15
Illinois Wesleyan continued its national ascent, climbing to No. 15 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 and extending its winning streak to six games. The Titans (12-3, 4-2 CCIW) controlled a 79-59 win over North Park last Saturday, leading wire to wire.
 
Junior Mason Funk recorded his third career double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The week followed a historic defensive effort against Augustana on Jan. 7, when Illinois Wesleyan set a modern-era program record with 11 blocked shots. Senior Nathan Boldt anchored the effort, setting an individual modern-era record with five blocks.
 
Sophomore Noah Cleveland continues to anchor the Titans statistically, ranking third nationally with 10 double-doubles while leading the CCIW in rebounding (11.7 rpg) and blocked shots (2.20 bpg). Illinois Wesleyan leads Division III in blocks per game (6.9) and ranks ninth nationally in field-goal percentage defense (38.2). Junior Jackson Niego ranks third nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.13).
 
Setting the Pace: Firebirds Hold the Summit
Carthage remained alone atop the conference standings at 5-1, extending its winning streak to seven games with a 103-66 victory over North Park on Wednesday. The Firebirds shot 53.8 percent from the field and committed just six turnovers in a comprehensive performance.
 
Junior Riley Brooks scored a career-high 30 points, including five three-pointers, while senior AJ Johnson added 22 points and went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Griffin Daun contributed on the glass as Carthage continued to separate itself offensively and defensively. The Firebirds lead the league in scoring margin (+12.8) and rank 12th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.58), while holding opponents to 27.3 percent from three-point range. Carthage received eight votes in the latest national poll.
 
Momentum Shifts: Carroll Answers Late
Carroll opened the week with a 67-65 win over Millikin last Saturday in a contest that featured 13 lead changes. Sophomore Michael McNabb secured the victory with a putback basket at the buzzer, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds. Lamar Smith added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Pioneers followed with a decisive 92-61 win over Elmhurst on Wednesday, outscoring the Bluejays 54-27 in the second half. Carroll shot 63.6 percent from the field after intermission, with Smith posting 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Carroll enters the weekend at 3-3 in conference play.
 
Records and Resilience: Cardinals Rewrite the Book
North Central continued to experience narrow margins despite several notable individual efforts. Freshman James Bullock Jr. tied a program record with six blocked shots against Wheaton last Saturday, then recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds in a 98-93 loss to Augustana on Wednesday.
 
In that same contest, freshman Seth Cheney scored a career-high 23 points, connecting on six three-pointers. The Cardinals have now played nine consecutive games decided by single digits.
 
Offense on Display: Vikings and Bluejays Trade Blows
Augustana earned a 98-93 victory over North Central on Wednesday, shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 11-of-19 from three-point range. Cam Atkinson led the Vikings with 24 points, while Eli Aldana added 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from deep. Augustana’s bench accounted for 51 points.
 
Earlier in the week, Elmhurst defeated Augustana 77-64 on Saturday behind a career-high 22 points from freshman Luke Smith. Dominic Trelenberg recorded his third double-double of the season with 17 points and a season-high 13 assists.
 
Standings Snapshot: January Tightens the Race
Carthage holds a one-game lead atop the standings, with Illinois Wesleyan and Wheaton close behind. North Park, Augustana and Carroll are tied at 3-3, setting up a pivotal weekend.
 
Saturday’s slate (Jan. 17) is highlighted by No. 15 Illinois Wesleyan traveling to Wheaton in a matchup of 4-2 teams. Augustana hosts Carroll in Rock Island, while Carthage visits Millikin in Decatur.