FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two highly ranked teams did battle this afternoon as No. 15-ranked Midland (Neb.) defeated No. 7-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball 85-81 at the Cruizin’ Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Midland (12-1) held leads of 15 points in each half but had to withstand an Indiana Wesleyan rally. Trailing by 15 early in the second half, Indiana Wesleyan roared back to take a 73-72 lead with 5:42 remaining in the game.

But Midland regained the lead on their next possession and built on their new lead very quickly. Two straight Indiana Wesleyan possessions ended in turnovers that both resulted in Midland baskets for a six point advantage.

Indiana Wesleyan (10-3) cut the deficit to 85-81 and had the ball with less than 20 seconds remaining. But a missed 3-point attempt finished any comeback attempt.

“We fought back but we waited until there was 15 minutes left in the game,” said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel. “We just can’t continue to do that and we need to play the entire 40 minutes.”

Jordan Weidner had a career game with 33 points, 26 of those coming in the second half. His previous career-high was 30 points which came last season versus IU East on December 4, 2012.

“I thought Jordan competed today,” said Tonagel. “He attacked. He did not get many looks in the first half but then he was able to get inside the paint in the second half and create.”

RJ Mahurin carried the load in the first half for the Wildcats as that is when he scored 18 of his 20 points. He finished with a double-double with 10 rebounds. Zac Vandewater was the third Wildcat in double figures with 13 points.

Midland led most of the first half and built their first lead of 15 points before the half. The big lead was courtesy of 60-percent shooting and 9-of-13 (69-percent) shooting from 3-point range. Midland finished the afternoon at 49-percent (33 of 67) and was just 1-of-9 from 3-point range in the second half.

Indiana Wesleyan plays their second straight game against a GPAC school tomorrow when they go to battle against Morningside (Iowa) in their final game of the Cruizin’ Classic in Fort Lauderdale. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.