Elmhurst tops wheaton 85-82 to advance to championship of cciw men's basketball tournament

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- No. 3 seed Elmhurst advanced to the championship of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men's Basketball Tournament after an 85-82 win over No. 3 seed Wheaton on Friday in Rock Island on the campus of tournament host Augustana College.

Elmhurst's Ryan Burks knocked down three free throws with three seconds left to carry the Bluejays into the final.

The Bluejays will be looking for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001 against the winner of the Augustana and North Central game.

Burks led Elmhurst with 27 points including a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Nick Michael and Brent Ruch each had 15, while Brian Lee score 11 for the Bluejays. Wheaton's Kent Raymond led all scorers with 39 points, while John Mohan had 13 for the Thunder.