MARION, Ind. -- Following a slow first half for the Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball team the Wildcats notched it up a few gears for a big second half to speed past University of Northwestern Ohio 61-47 on Tuesday evening in Luckey Arena.

Trailing by one at halftime, Indiana Wesleyan opened the second half on a 33-10 run over 13 minutes to cruise to the finish line.

Northwestern Ohio limited the Indiana Wesleyan offense in the opening half as IWU shot 33.3-percent (9 of 27) from the field and just 20.0-percent (1 of 5) from beyond the arc.

But the Wildcats left the Racers in their rear view mirror in the last 20 minutes. IWU turned a 23-22 halftime deficit to a 55-33 advantage with 6:52 on the clock. During the run, senior center Zach Coverstone scored 10 points and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. In all, Coverstone scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down a game best nine rebounds. He finished 8-of-9 from the foul line.

The 22 point lead was the largest all night for Indiana Wesleyan.

In the first half the game featured six lead changes and four ties, despite Northwestern Ohio leading for much of the half. UNOH (5-5) held their largest lead of the night at 17-11 at the midway point.

Defense was the defining attribute for the Wildcats in the victory. The strong IWU defense held the Racers to 31.3-percent (15 of 48) shooting and 23.1-percent (3 of 13) from deep. Indiana Wesleyan also forced 17 Northwestern Ohio turnovers and kept UNOH to just four assists.

Entering the contest for the Racers, senior guard Josh Vorst led the team in scoring with 17.1 points per contest. He was held to just three points on 1-of-9 shooting and it was the first time he did not score in double figures all season.

IWU freshman guard Aaron Martin connected on 3-of-6 shots from 3-point range for 13 points and senior forward Josh Williams contributed 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Derrick Troyer scored eight points and dished out five assists.

Indiana Wesleyan has now won their last four contests despite missing second leading scorer Will Hubertz to injury. IWU improves to 9-3 on the season and will return to the court at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 12 when the Wildcats host Trinity International (Ill.) University in Luckey Arena.

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