POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Three distinct scoring runs dictated the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinal which Oklahoma Wesleyan University defeated Indiana Wesleyan University 71-59 on Saturday night in Point Lookout, Missouri.

Oklahoma Wesleyan, one of the most prolific scoring teams in the country, erupted from the opening tip-off and opened up a 30-10 lead at the midway point of the first half.

But over the next 21 minutes of the game, Indiana Wesleyan dominated play with a 45-21 run which ultimately put IWU up by four, 55-51. Indiana Wesleyan grabbed their first lead of the game at 51-50 with just less than 10 minutes to play when senior forward Josh Williams threw down a huge put-back slam.

"It was a game of momentum swings," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel. "For us to make that comeback says something about our seniors as we fought and fought."

The third and final run of the game though went to Oklahoma Wesleyan as Indiana Wesleyan went ice cold from the field. IWU was unable to extend their four point lead as OWU brought the game to a close with 20 of the final 24 points of the night.

"I was shocked when we took the lead," continued Tonagel. "But we gave up so much energy coming back but we just couldn't get the lead any bigger. The effort was there and I'm proud of these guys for the way they continued to play."

Wildcat senior center Zach Coverstone finished three assists shy of a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, but struggled to 3-of-10 shooting as the Eagles pounded Coverstone all night long.

"Zach never got in a rhythm tonight," said Tonagel. "Our offense runs through him and it's too bad he couldn't get it going."

"But he has to be in the conversation as one of the top five players to ever wear an IWU uniform."

Another struggle for the Wildcats on Saturday was the foul troubles of junior forward Will Hubertz. He entered the quarterfinal contest averaging 15.0 points per game during the tournament but was limited to just 17 minutes due to fouls. He finished with four points and five rebounds.

"Will had a tough matchup tonight with possibly the best offensive rebounder in the country," stated Tonagel. "Unfortunately he got himself into trouble and was never able to get in sync."

Oklahoma senior guard and possible NAIA Player of the Year, Steve Briggs, was mostly held in check by the stellar defensive performance of senior guard Spencer Harris. Briggs hit seven quick points but ended the night with 20 on 8-of-22 shooting and 3-of-10 from deep.

Eagle junior forward Sadiel Rojas though had a terrific game with 21 points and 14 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end.

The Wildcats finish the spectacular 2009-10 season with 30 wins which ties the program record with the 2006-07 team. IWU won their third Mid-Central College Conference championship and first outright title and MCC Tournament championship this season.

Tonagel said on the closure of the season, "It's very tough and hard to swallow right now. We thought at the beginning of the season we'd be a middle of the pack team in the MCC. But once we got rolling we thought we could make a bigger run here and the guys thought they had a legitimate chance to win a national championship."

But the four man senior class of Coverstone, Harris, Ryan Hetrick and Williams, will forever leave a mark on the Indiana Wesleyan men's basketball program. The quartet was at the heart of the IWU program turnaround with four of the five winningest seasons ever and totaling 112 wins in four years. During their IWU run, the Wildcats won three MCC championships, a MCC tournament title, three NAIA Elite Eight appearances and a NCCAA national championship.

"We sat in the locker room afterwards and talked about our four seniors and the legacy that they leave behind. These are four great men and future leaders of our world," said Tonagel.

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