WINONA LAKE, Ind. -- Jon Moon?s 3-point attempt at the buzzer drew the front of the iron as the Indiana Wesleyan University men?s basketball team succumbed 59-56 to No. 17 Grace (Ind.) College on Wednesday night in Winona Lake, Indiana.

The Wildcats lost despite 24 more field attempts than the host Lancers. Indiana Wesleyan finished the evening 21-of-63 (33.3-percent) from the floor while Grace was 22-of-39 (56.3-percent).

Each team ended the night with 33 rebounds, but the Wildcats pounded the offensive glass with 14 rebounds while Grace only grabbed two.

IWU (17-7, 6-5 MCC) was able to earn leads of eight and nine points in the first half, but each time Grace responded with runs to take the lead. The two combatants were tied 25-25 at the break.

Grace (19-6, 8-3 MCC) controlled the second half as Indiana Wesleyan only led for 49 seconds. The Lancers held their largest lead of the contest at 11 (50-39) with six minutes 56 seconds on the clock.

The Wildcats chipped away at the deficit. Their next four possessions the Wildcats recorded 3-point plays. By the end of the spurt, Grace led 55-51 with 3:24 to play.

Grace had an opportunity to ice the game as the Lancers led 57-54 and five second remaining. The Lancers missed both free throws and fouled right away. Freshman Will Hubertz made both free throws to cut the lead to 57-56.

IWU fouled and Grace hit both free throws with 2.7 seconds left and Grace leading 59-56.

After the down court pass was tipped out of bounds with 1.4 seconds remaining, Moon?s game-tying attempt at the buzzer fell just short.

Three Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Hubertz with 11 points. Murrell and Moon each tallied 10.

Lancers? center Eric Gaff led all scorers with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to action at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, as IWU travels to play Marian College in Indianapolis, Indiana.