MISHAWAKA, Ind. (Box Score) -- An early Mid-Central College Conference men's basketball clash between No. 12-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University and No. 2-ranked Bethel (Ind.) College went to the Pilots 84-81 on Tuesday night in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Indiana Wesleyan finished the game at 50.0-percent (32 of 64) shooting while only committing nine turnovers. But Bethel shot 53.2-percent (33 of 62) from the floor and a perfect 12-of-12 from the charity stripe.

The first half of action featured an up tempo pace. The two teams combined to hit the first 10 shot in the contest. Indiana Wesleyan hit on their first six shots and quickly led 14-10.

Both teams continued to hit shot after shot throughout the period as neither team was able to separate themselves from the other. By the time the smoke cleared at halftime, Bethel held a 47-45 advantage.

The Pilots (10-0, 2-0 MCC) quickly increased their lead to six points at 51-45 coming out of the break as Bethel led Indiana Wesleyan by multiple possessions for most of the second half. Bethel gained their first eight point lead at 59-51.

But Indiana Wesleyan clawed back and cut the Bethel lead to three points at 77-74 with under five minutes to go. Bethel answered with a three to push their advantage to 80-74 with less than four minutes on the clock.

Neither team could hit a bucket for nearly three minutes until IWU trimmed the deficit to four at 80-76 and over a minute to play. IWU junior forward Zach Coverstone scored and was fouled on the next Wildcat possession. He hit the free throw to make a one point game at 80-79 and under 30 seconds left.

Indiana Wesleyan (8-3, 1-1 MCC) intentionally fouled and Bethel hit both ends of the bonus free throws to lead 82-79.

The Wildcats had one last chance to force overtime, but a three-point attempt by sophomore forward Will Hubertz was blocked and rebounded by the Pilots. Bethel hit both free throws to ice the game.

IWU senior forward Landon Adler led the team in scoring with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Coverstone and senior guard Antonio Murrell each added 17 points as Murrell also grabbed a team-high eight boards. Senior guard Jon Moon ended the night with 11 points.

Bethel senior forward William Walker totaled a game-high 30 points and 12 rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan will return to non-conference play for the rest of December. The Wildcats next play at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 4 as IWU travels to play University of Michigan-Dearborn.