JACKSONVILLE, IL – Blackburn College Men's Basketball visited Illinois College in nonconference play, but fell to the Blue Boys 63-40. 

Senior Izayah Talmadge led the Beavers with nine points and ten rebounds, grabbing seven offensive rebounds. Sophomore Cameron Johnson added eight points while Zak Kelsey chipped in with seven rebounds. 

Blackburn jumped out to a 6-2 lead early behind a Kelsey three, a basket fromsophomore Cayden Paquette, and a free throw from Kelsey but the hosts answered. With the game tied at 7-7, Talmadge gave BC a 9-7 lead. IC responded with a rally to take a 27-13 lead at the break. 

The Beavers were able to make it 27-18 after a layup and free throw from freshman Odis Grissom but Blackburn would be unable to get closer. The defending Midwest Conference Champions, and preseason favorites proved too much as the Blue Boys controlled the rest of the game to take the victory. 

On Saturday, BC visited regional power Dubuque University. Johnson led Blackburn with 17 points. Sophomore Darius Duff aided the effort with nine points. Senior Brody Barr paced the team with nine rebounds. The game saw the two teams trade leads throughout the first half, with Blackburn entering halftime with a 34-31 lead. 

Blackburn falls to 0-3 on the season while Illinois College improves to 2-0. The Beavers return to action Wednesday night as they host Knox College for the team's first home game of the season.