BLOOMINGTON, IL -- John Carroll (23-7) fell 73-60 to Illinois Wesleyan (25-4) in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament on Saturday night.
The Blue Streaks cap their season with a 23-7 record and ownership of the NCAC Tournament title, while the Titans advance into the third round. Illinois Wesleyan will face the winner of tonight’s second-round matchup between Endicott (27-1) and Cortland (24-4). The date, time and location of the third-round matchup will be released once all second-round games are completed.
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN (25-4) 73, JOHN CARROLL (23-7) 60
- John Carroll’s postseason run came to a close on Saturday with a 73-60 setback to host Illinois Wesleyan at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Illinois. The Blue Streaks matched the Titans shot-for-shot in the opening half, as the teams traded six lead changes and three ties before heading into the locker room tied 38-38.
- Illinois Wesleyan created separation after halftime, using a decisive push to build its largest lead at 19 with 13:21 remaining. JCU continued to battle and generated extra chances with 15 second-chance points, but the Titans controlled the final stretch and outscored the Blue Streaks 35-22 in the second half to close out the win.
- For John Carroll, sophomore guard Jack Zapolnik (Bay Village, OH/Saint Ignatius) led the way with 19 points while knocking down three three-pointers, and graduate guard Luke Chicone (Mentor, OH/Mentor) added 18 points with four assists. Junior guard Aidan Fitzgerald (Kirtland, OH/Lake Catholic) contributed six points and five rebounds, while sophomore forward Mike Lamirand (Avon Lake, OH/Saint Ignatius), senior forward Kasey Hunt (Sylvania, OH/Sylvania Northview), and junior guard/forward Brandon Rose (East Cleveland, OH/Gilmour Academy) added four points apiece as the Blue Streaks finished with 15 offensive rebounds.
- Illinois Wesleyan was paced by Noah Cleveland with 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Mason Funk added 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.