SPRING ARBOR, Mich. (Box Score) -- Spring Arbor (Mich.) University raced out to an early 12 point lead but the Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball team used a strong second half to escape with a 56-54 road win on Saturday afternoon.

Spring Arbor (19-8, 7-6 MCC) led 18-6 early and carried a 32-25 lead into halftime.

No. 9-ranked Indiana Wesleyan used a strong defensive effort in the second half, limiting Spring Arbor to just 22 points. For the game, IWU held SAU to 43.8-percent (21 of 48) shooting and just 14.3-percent (1 of 7) from deep.

Junior forward Zach Coverstone and senior guard Antonio Murrell took control of the game for Indiana Wesleyan, scoring 68-percent of the points for the Wildcats. Coverstone led all players with 20 points and nine rebounds. He was 9-of-10 from the field. Murrell poured in 18 points.

Wildcat senior forward Landon Adler was the only other IWU player in double digits with 10 points. He also added six boards and four assists.

Richard Blair led Spring Arbor with a team-best 15 points.

With the win and a loss by No. 1-ranked Bethel (Ind.) College at Huntington (Ind.) University, the Wildcats move to within half a game of conference leader Bethel.

Indiana Wesleyan (21-5, 9-3 MCC) returns to action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10 as the Wildcats host MCC rival University of Saint Francis (Ind.).