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Wabash Falls Despite 34-Point Effort from DesJean

Senior All-American forward Joe DesJean (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian) scored a tournament-high 34 points, but it was not enough to secure a win for the Little Giants as Wabash falls 78-64 to Illinois Wesleyan in the championship game of the 2002 Little Giant Tipoff Classic on Saturday night.

DesJean was 11-16 from the field, snagged six rebounds and added three block shots. But Wabash could not overcome the balanced scoring and fundamental execution of the Titans. Tournament MVP Luke Kasten scored 21 points and was one of four players in double figures for Illinois Wesleyan.

The Little Giants only lead of the game came tieh a 9-8 advantage with 15 minutes left in the first half before the Titans took a 10-point lead in the first eight minutes of the game and never looked back. Illinois Wesleyan took a 25-point lead in the second half before DesJean and the rest of the Wabash squad trimmed the advantage to 11 in the final minute of the game.

Senior guard Brady Claxton (Shelbyville, IN/Shelbyville) joined DesJean on the all-tournament team by scoring 15 points against the Titans.

Wabash moves to 1-1 with the loss. The Little Giants will play host to Franklin College on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Chadwick Court.

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