MARION, Ind. -- A standing room only crowd in Luckey Arena was treated to a brilliant game of basketball on Saturday as No. 8-ranked Bethel (Ind.) edged No. 1-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University by an 88-85 score in the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Game of the Week.

Indiana Wesleyan had one final shot to send the game into overtime as they trailed 88-85. IWU got the ball past midcourt and called a timeout with 4.3 seconds left. Bob Peters (SO/Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) inbounded the ball to the far end of the court to Lane Mahurin (SO/Rockville, Ind.) who immediately found DJ Bettinger (SR/Richfield, Ohio). Bettinger was able to get a solid look at the basket but his shot just missed as Bethel escaped with the three point victory.

“They won the game,” said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel. “I wasn’t disappointed with our effort today.”

The game featured 13 ties and 23 lead changes. Neither team led by more than six points the entire game. The final two minutes of the game witnessed two ties and six lead changes.

“It was a very good game,” continued Tonagel. “That’s a good basketball team. It was a good challenge today and we have a lot we can learn from it.”

Bethel’s Matt Schauss scored on a second chance opportunity in the paint to give Bethel an 83-82 lead with 45.6 seconds to play. Indiana Wesleyan answered when Zac Vandewater (SR/Warsaw, Ind.) scored on a layup and was fouled by Schauss with 27.9 seconds on the clock. Vandewater hit the free throw for an 85-83 lead. Bethel quickly regained the lead when Clay Yeo drilled a 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds to play for an 86-85 score.

Indiana Wesleyan quickly inbounded the ball to Jonny Marlin (JR/Greenwood, Ind.). He raced down the court and attacked the basket. But a shot never went up and the ball came lose as Bethel gained possession. IWU was forced to foul with 5.6 seconds left.

“We had Jonny on the run,” said Tonagel. “I was about to call a timeout but once he got deep in the lane I thought he was going to get fouled or put it up. I thought that would be better than setting a play up. Unfortunately we didn’t get either.”

Schauss went to the foul line and connected on both free throws. Mahurin inbounded the ball deep down the court to Josh Mawhorr (JR/Muncie, Ind.) who caught the pass and called timeout to set up the final shot attempt by Bettinger.

Indiana Wesleyan was led by Marlin with 24 points and 5 assists while Mahurin finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Mawhorr earned 15 points and 6 boards while Vandewater added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals.

The Wildcats shot 46.9-percent (30 of 64) from the field and 26.9-percent (7 of 26) from 3-point range. IWU shot just 1-of-12 from beyond the arc in the second half.

“Bethel’s opponents average more 3-pointers than anybody in the league,” stated Tonagel. “We told them they’re going to be there early but let’s move the basketball. I would have like to seen us go in more. They’re enticing and we shot them. If you’re going to live by them you are going to die by them.”

Schauss paced Bethel with 30 points and 5 rebounds while Yeo tallied 19 points and 6 rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan will next play at Grace (Ind.) on Tuesday in Winona Lake, Indiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.