Overtime loss Knocks Blueboys out of the NCAA Tournament in the Second Round

ST. LOUIS – The Illinois College men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 68-67 overtime decision to Washington University in St. Louis in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Saturday at the Washington University Field House.

The Blueboys milestone season comes to an end with a 24-5 record while the Bears advance to the round of 16 with a 20-7 ledger. 

Playing in the program's third NCAA Tournament, IC reached the second round for the first time ever after winning both the Midwest Conference Regular Season and Tournament titles for the second consecutive year.

IC junior Josh Harris continued his stellar late season play by pouring in a game-high 30 points while senior Jake Mazrimas concluded his outstanding career with the Blueboys by scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The Bears had three players in double figures led by Calvin Kapral's 18 points.

The contest was tight in the early stages of the game before IC made a 13-2 run to take a 35-24 lead with over a minute to play and held a 10-point (36-26) lead at intermission.

IC's lead grew to 13 early in the second half before WashU made its run to get back in the game, tying the contest at 50 with 8:01 left. Neither team led by more than two for the remainder of regulation. The Bears had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but Hayden Doyle's jumper rimmed out.

The overtime period saw the Blueboys jump ahead by three but that was the largest lead of the frame. WashU trailed by 1 with 20 seconds to go and worked for the last shot, which missed but got the offensive rebound and Yogi Oliff was fouled with 1.9 seconds to play. He then sank both free throws and IC couldn't get a desperation shot off as time expired.