Millikin Edges Dubuque 81-71 in Opener
Millikin opened its season with an 81-71 win over Dubuque, marking Tom Noonan's first victory as a college head coach.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Basketball
Millikin University's men's basketball team defeated the University of Dubuque 81-71 at Thornton Gymnasium in Aurora, Illinois. The win was the first under Head Coach Tom Noonan.
Why it matters
The season-opening victory gives Millikin an early result under a new head coach, and it sets the tone for the Big Blue's road trip to face Aurora University on Saturday. For Aurora readers, the result reflects a local program launching its year at home.
Lane Thomann scored 24 points with four three-pointers, and Ryheem Tyus added 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Dubuque's Josh Senica led his team with 19 points.
The players
Tom Noonan
Tom Noonan is the head basketball coach at Millikin University, earning his first win as a college head coach in this opener.
Lane Thomann
Lane Thomann is a Millikin guard whose 24-point, four-three-pointer performance led the Big Blue offense.
Ryheem Tyus
Ryheem Tyus is a Millikin forward who recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds in the opening win.
The details
Lane Thomann led Millikin from beyond the arc, making four three-pointers, and the Big Blue shared the ball and controlled tempo for most of the contest. Four Dubuque players scored in double digits in a losing effort.
Timeline
Nov. 7, 2026: Millikin defeats Dubuque 81-71 in its season opener.
Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.: Millikin plays Aurora University on the road.
Season Trajectory
The opening win establishes an early marker for Millikin's new coaching era. The result is a single data point in a season that the extraction does not place within any broader conference standings.
Fans in Aurora can track Millikin's next game on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Aurora University. The result will indicate whether the team's early form holds on the road.
The takeaway
An early win gives a new coaching staff a measurable starting point, and the next test comes quickly with a road game against Aurora University. Local followers should watch how the rotation performs beyond its leading scorers.
What happens next
Millikin next plays Aurora University on the road on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
Further reading
Follow more local coverage in Basketball for updates on Millikin and other area teams.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pantagraph.
