BOX SCORE
TERRE HAUTE, IND. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology improved to 8-1 on the men's basketball season with a
67-43 non-conference victory over Millikin University on Wednesday
night at Hulbert Arena.
Junior Julian Strickland (Indianapolis/Pike) led the offensive effort with 14 points on 5-10 from the field, six rebounds and four assists. Senior Brenton Balsbaugh (Greenville, Ohio/Arcanum) added 12 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots.
Senior Nate Gissentanner (Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County) reached double figures with 10 points and contributed five rebounds. Senior Austin Weatherford (Cicero/Hamilton Heights) had eight points, five rebounds and four assists, while junior James Pillischafske (Louisville, Ky./Male) pitched in with eight points.
Chase Robbins led the Millikin offensive effort with eight points. Alex Tueth and Jaylon Owens had six points each. The Big Blue were the fifth Rose-Hulman opponent to score 45 points or less in a game this season, and the Engineers continue to rank No. 1 nationally in scoring defense.
The Fightin' Engineers 64% from the field and 60% from three-point range in the first half to build a 36-19 lead at the break. Weatherford hit two layups and Pillischafske buried a three to help Rose-Hulman gain a 14-4 edge in the first seven minutes. After Millikin trimmed the lead to eight, Strickland scored seven of nine points in a spurt to push Rose-Hulman's advantage to 33-18 at the 2:47 mark.
In the second half, Rose-Hulman held Millikin to just two points in the first five minutes to gain a 42-21 edge on a score by Gissentanner at the 15:10 mark. The Big Blue twice cut the deficit to 14 points but could get no closer as the Engineers secured the win.
Rose-Hulman will put its 3-0 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference record on the line in Saturday's 3 p.m. home matchup with Hanover College. Millikin dropped to 3-6 on the campaign.