MARION, Ind. – No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan University men’ basketball used a 20-1 run to force overtime and then build an early lead in the extra frame to win 80-72 over visiting Grace (Ind.) Tuesday night. IWU trailed by 12 points with 8:35 to play in the second half before a 13-1 run to close regulation forced overtime. In the extra frame, the Wildcats scored the first 7 points to clinch their fourth consecutive victory. 

GAME VITALS

• Score:  Indiana Wesleyan def. Grace, 80-72 (OT)
• Records:  Indiana Wesleyan  16-5, 7-2 Crossroads League   |   Grace 7-14, 0-9 Crossroads League
• NAIA Top- 25 Rank:  Indiana Wesleyan - No. 7   |   Grace - Not ranked
• Location:   Luckey Arena   |   Indiana Wesleyan University   |   Marion, Indiana

STAT TRACKER

• Jacob Johnson:  13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 3 steals
• Kyle Mangas:  22 points, 9-10 FT, 3 assists, 2 steals
• Ben Carlson:  18 points (career-high), 7-10 FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks
   

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Indiana Wesleyan has won eight of the last nine meetings with Grace. Last year, Indiana Wesleyan averaged 106.5 points per game in two wins over Grace.
• Grace led the final 18 minutes of the first half and built a 9-point lead on three different occasions. IWU ran off a 10-1 run to tie the score at 35 but Grace scored the final 5 points of the half to lead 40-35.
• The Lancers held a game-high 12-point cushion at 67-55 with 8:35 left in regulation. The Wildcats completed the second half on a 13-1 run to force overtime at 68-68.
• Grace finally found a field goal with 1:54 left in overtime. It was too little as Indiana Wesleyan held a firm 77-70 advantage. GC went 11:41 between baskets.
• The Wildcats outscored the Lancer 25-5 in the final 13:35 of the game.
   

COACH TONAGEL SAYS…

• On the outcome vs. Grace…
  “I didn’t expect this one to play out the way that it did. We probably didn’t deserve to win but we found a way to get it done. Two weeks ago we wouldn’t have. It wasn’t pretty but we stuck together.”
   
• On Ben Carlson’s career night…
  “Ben was a hero for the team tonight. I am proud of him. Ben had an emotional talk to our guys yesterday in the locker room. To see the two come together is a rather rewarding thing in coaching. Watch a kid lead and then see him go on the floor and pour his heart out for his teammates. He deserved this effort tonight. I am happy for him.”
   

NEXT TIME OUT

• Indiana Wesleyan is on the road this weekend with a Saturday tilt at No. 13 Spring Arbor (Mich.). Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m.