The men’s basketball team opened their season Friday night with a difficult match up against the fifth ranked team in the nation, Wheaton College, at King Arena in Wheaton Illinois for the Lee Pfund Classic. The Beavers started the game with high energy, but the Thunder of Wheaton College were just too much to handle.

The first half of the game started with tough defense, as Blackburn caused four quick turnovers. The Beavers struggled on offense, as they scored eleven points in the first half. Multiple players also faced foul trouble during the first half. The half time score was 49-11 with Wheaton College on top.

The second half showed large improvements for Blackburn as they again came out of the locker room with high energy and outscored Wheaton. The Beavers scored 35 points in the second half and held Wheaton to 29. Although Blackburn outscored Wheaton in the second half, it wasn’t enough to win the game. The final score was 78-46 with Wheaton College on top.

Blackburn’s statistical leaders were: Chris Davis with 21 points and three steals, Matt Chandler with six rebounds, and Luke Greene with two assists.

The men’s team is back in action for their second game of the Lee Pfund Classic in Wheaton, Illinois Saturday night at 6:00 PM against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.