MARION, Ind. -- Although the game lacked overtime drama the No. 16-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball team won again in a 57-48 defensive tilt against visiting Spring Arbor (Mich.) University in Luckey Arena.

"You can look at it two ways," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel. "One, it was ugly, ugly offense or two, it was great defense. We are going to choose the ladder and say we played great defense and that is something to build upon. The offense is going to come and we just have to hit some shots."

The win was the fourth straight for Indiana Wesleyan who improves to 17-9 overall and 9-5 in the Mid-Central College Conference. It was the first win in regulation since Indiana Wesleyan defeated then No. 4-ranked Grace (Ind.) College in nearly two weeks.

One of the main keys to the win for the Wildcats was the defensive effort put on the MCC leading scorer Chris Bellamy. The junior opened the afternoon averaging 21.2 points but was limited to just 10 points, all in the second half. He was 2-of-15 from the field.

"Every shot Bellamy took was contested," continued Tonagel. "And the shots he made were tough shots or free throws. I thought George did a good job of not giving him space."

Junior guard George Jones IV also made an impact on the offensive end, especially late. His first big basket came with 1:29 left on a floater in the lane to push the IWU advantage back to two possessions at 50-46. But he saved the best for last with 41 seconds left and Indiana Wesleyan hanging on to a precarious 51-48 lead.

Sophomore guard Jordan Weidner had just hit the first of two free throws for the three point lead. But Weidner missed the second which Jones IV outleaped everyone for the huge offensive rebound. He went straight to the basket for the score and a 53-48 advantage.

"The key for George tonight was even though he didn't have his best offensive game he came up with two huge plays late," added Tonagel. "One was the floater in the lane and the other was the offensive rebound and finish. He went at it tonight and made big plays."

Indiana Wesleyan held defensively and hit four free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the nine point win.

Although defense ruled the day, Indiana Wesleyan exploded out of the gates with points in seven of their first nine possessions. With just over five minutes gone, Indiana Wesleyan had quickly built a 12-2 lead.

But neither team was very successful on the offensive side of the ball the rest of the day. That allowed Spring Arbor to methodically cut into the deficit and make it a five point game at 19-14 with 3:51 left before half. From that point neither team gained a lead greater than five points until IWU junior forward Taylor Schoen hit a free throw to lead by six (54-48) with 28 seconds on the clock.

One player not affected by the scoring woes on Saturday was Weidner. He led the team in scoring for the fourth straight game with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Weidner also tied junior forward Patrick Hopkins with a team-best six rebounds. The only other Wildcat in double figures was senior guard Derrick Troyer with 12 points. He also had four assists.

The 57 points for Indiana Wesleyan was their lowest point total of the season and the 48 points allowed was their best defensive effort as well.  Even with the season lows there was an even more glaring offensive stat, a combined 0-for-17 from 3-point range.

"I think the stat that sticks out to me is that there was not a 3 made in the game by either team," stated Tonagel. "That has not happened since I've been here. I can't imagine that has happened too many times."

Things do not get any easier for Indiana Wesleyan on Tuesday night. IWU hosts No. 21-ranked University of Saint Francis (Ind.).

"Nobody is playing better basketball than Saint Francis right now," said Tonagel. "They are on a five game winning streak. They're not just winning, they are beating people pretty bad. So it's a huge game for us on Tuesday."

The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7 in Luckey Arena.