MARION, Ind. -- Following some high octane games to start the season, the No. 2-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball team showed they can grind it out in a 74-63 victory over Aquinas (Mich.) College in the final game of the MCC/WHAC Challenge in Luckey Arena.

The Wildcats averaged 91.5 points per game in their first four contests of the season. But Saturday's opponent in Aquinas was a very physical team which resulted in a slower game.

"I told the guys in the locker room that this game was a step forward," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel. "We challenged them defensively. They needed to step up because we were playing a very physical team. I'm happy with how we responded."

Following a very taxing overtime win over No. 6-ranked Cornerstone (Mich.) University the night before, Indiana Wesleyan used the bench frequently Saturday afternoon. No Wildcat played more than 28 minutes and the 10 Wildcats that played all saw the floor at least 10 minutes.

With different Wildcats seeming to step up their play each game, junior guard George Jones IV had one of his best in an Indiana Wesleyan uniform. He missed his career-high by two points as he hit on 7-of-11 shots today for 18 points. He did match his career-high with nine rebounds, falling one board short of his first double-double.

"He's just being aggressive," stated Tonagel. "He's a very skilled kid, he can shoot the ball now, he can handle the ball now. He's such a threat and is a great extra weapon for us now. He's more assertive when he comes into games. He has a great skill set and knows how to utilize it."

Indiana Wesleyan never trailed against Aquinas and it looked like it could be a blowout early. By seven minutes into the contest Indiana Wesleyan built a 17-4 advantage. The 13 points would be the largest lead of the day.

Aquinas (1-4) narrowed the lead to as little as four (20-16) in the opening frame. But a 13-4 Indiana Wesleyan run pushed the advantage back to 13 points at 33-20. Aquinas would respond with the final seven points of the half as IWU led 33-27 at intermission.

A free throw by Jones IV and a 3-pointer by junior guard Aaron Martin on back-to-back possessions early in the second half gave Indiana Wesleyan an eight point cushion at 41-33. The lead would remain greater than six points until Aquinas' Cole Moore's bucket in the paint trimmed the score to 60-55 with 5:05 remaining.

Jones IV would again step up his play to squash any Aquinas comeback bid. On the next possession he was fouled driving the lane and he hit both free throws. Following a defensive stop, Jones IV hit another layup for a 64-55 lead.

On three different occasions the Saints closed to within seven points, the last coming at 68-61 with 2:45 left on the clock. But a 3-point dagger by Martin with 1:32 left iced the game as Indiana Wesleyan moved to 5-0 on the season. Martin finished with 17 points and was 5-of-10 from 3-point range.

"We finished this game much better today," said Tonagel. "We strung together consecutive stops and then we hit our free throws. Those are the two things that have plagued us recently."

Despite hitting just 68.4-percent (13 of 19) from the foul line, Indiana Wesleyan hit them when they mattered most with 5-of-6 shooting in the last four minutes.

Junior forward Patrick Hopkins collected his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman forward Tyler Greathouse was solid off the Indiana Wesleyan bench with 10 points. He hit 3-of-5 from beyond the arc in 13 minutes.

The Mid-Central College Conference swept the MCC/WHAC Challenge. Earlier in the afternoon, Spring Arbor (Mich.) University defeated Cornerstone 65-57.

Indiana Wesleyan does not slow down yet with another game on Monday, November 14 when IWU hosts Ohio Christian University at 7 p.m. in Luckey Arena. The game will be the fourth for the Wildcats in six days.