BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Illinois Wesleyan will extend its season to the NCAA Division III national semifinals after defeating Dickinson 79-66 in the sectional final Saturday at the Shirk Center.
IWU will travel to Salem, Va., for its sixth semifinal appearance, playing against Wisconsin-Whitewater (26-4). The Warhawks, who won the tournament in 2012, were 64-51 winners against Emory on Saturday. Defending national champion Amherst and Williams are the other semifinalists with the championship game scheduled for Saturday.
Illinois Wesleyan trailed 7-6 early in the game before going on a 16-1 run to jump ahead 22-7 with 11:06 before the half. The Red Devils mounted a comeback before the halftime break, clawing their way to within five at 37-32.
In the second half, the Titans never led by fewer than eight points and had a lead of 19 with 1:25 to play.
IWU handily outrebounded Dickinson 43-26 and both teams were guilty of 14 turnovers. The Titans provided 14 assists on 26 baskets.
Senior Andrew Ziemnik led the Titans with 18 points. Victor Davis also contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.
