WINONA LAKE, Ind. -- Tuesday night was a struggle for No. 2-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball at Grace (Ind.) in Crossroads League play at the OCC in Winona Lake, Indiana.

But all that was forgotten as junior Zac Vandewater calmly sank two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining to give Indiana Wesleyan a 61-60 lead. After a timeout, Grace got the ball down the court for one last shot that just missed as Indiana Wesleyan escaped with the huge win.

Vandewater was the lone Wildcat in double figures with 12 points. He was 5-of-7 at the free throw stripe in a game that was ultimately decided at the line. The Wildcats hit 15-of-20 from the free throw line while the Lancers struggled to the tune of 10-of-21 from the charity stripe.

Indiana Wesleyan (9-1, 2-0 CL) was plagued all evening by foul trouble. Jordan Weidner picked up two fouls 35 seconds apart as he collected his third foul with 8:50 remaining in the first half. He did not play again until after halftime. He then fouled out with 7:28 remaining in the game. Bob Peters also accumulated three first half fouls and had his fourth just three minutes into the second half. RJ Mahurin had a pair of first half fouls but quickly earned his fourth foul with 14:31 remaining in the game.

The Wildcats’ top two leading scorers in Weidner and Mahurin combined for just 38 minutes tonight due to fouls. Weidner played less than 15 minutes and finished with six points and four assists while Mahurin added seven points and six boards.

The first half saw two ties and five lead changes as Grace had the largest lead of the half at 12-4. IWU would take the lead twice after that eight point deficit but Grace led 32-31 at intermission.

Neither team led by more than five points in the second half until Nate Bubash knocked down a pair of free throws for a 52-46 IWU lead with 9:33 to go. But Grace scored the next seven points to retake the lead 53-52 with 7:13 left.

Grace (5-3, 0-2 CL) held a 60-56 advantage as 1:45 remained on the clock. Mahurin hit his only 3-pointer of the game to cut the deficit to one point with 1:31 to play. Grace had a chance to extend the lead but missed a 3-pointer on their side but a turnover quickly gave the ball back to Grace.

The Lancers were fouled with 33 seconds left and Niko Read went to the line to shoot two. Read, who led the Lancers with 13 points, missed both free throw attempts and Peters grabbed the rebound. RJ Mahurin shot a 3-pointer and missed but Lane Mahurin grabbed the offensive glass. He found Vandewater who was fouled as he shot with 4.2 seconds left. Vandewater connected on the free throws for the deciding points.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to Luckey Arena this Saturday for a 3 p.m. tip-off with No. 19-ranked Saint Francis (Ind.).