INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Evan Maxwell poured in a career-high 34 points – including 7 in the second OT – as No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball survived a double overtime thriller with an 87-82 win at Marian (Ind.). Maxwell hit two late free throws to force overtime and drained a key 3-pointer in the first overtime as IWU overcame a five-point deficit in the final 10 seconds.

GAME VITALS

• Score:  Indiana Wesleyan def. Marian, 87-82 (2OT)
• Records:  Indiana Wesleyan  19-6, 10-3 Crossroads League   |   Marian 16-9, 6-7 Crossroads League
• NAIA Top- 25 Rank:  Indiana Wesleyan - No. 8   |   Marian - Not ranked
• Location:   PE Center   |   Marian University   |   Indianapolis, Indiana

STAT TRACKER

• Joel Okafor:  5 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 47:00 minutes
• Kyle Mangas:  15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
• Jacob Johnson:  9 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 46:00 minutes
• Evan Maxwell:  34 points, 10-17 FG, 3-6 3FG, 11-14 FT, 8 rebounds
• Grant Smith:  12 points, 5-8 FG, 3 assists, 2 steals
• Ben Carlson:  11 points, 4-6 FG, 5 rebounds
   

A WILD FINISH!

• REGULATION:  Indiana Wesleyan forced overtime when Evan Maxwell sank two free throws with 13.1 seconds remaining for a 66-all score. Wes Stowers’ shot inside the arc drew only iron at the buzzer as the game went to the extra session.
• FIRST OT:  Marian scored the first five points of the first overtime and led by six points at the midway point. Evan Maxwell sank a 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left to cut the deficit to 75-73. IWU fouled Stowers who made one of two free throws for a 76-73 lead with 8.1 seconds on the clock. Kyle Mangas hit 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds to go to tie the game at 76 and force a second OT.
• SECOND OT:  Maxwell scored the first three points of the second overtime and the Wildcats never trailed in the period. Maxwell finished with seven points in the final five minutes.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Maxwell finished with a career-best 34 points, besting his previous best of 29 vs. Indiana Tech.
• Indiana Wesleyan dominated the paint where they outscored Marian 48-14. The IWU bench also held a significant 23-6 advantage.
• The Wildcats have wins in five straight games in the series with the Knights.
• Indiana Wesleyan improves to 4-0 in overtime games this season.
   

COACH TONAGEL SAYS…

• “I’m proud of our guys for fighting.  Our backs were against the wall and we leave this gym with a win as one unit.”

• “Evan’s play was absolute dominance. He’s getting healthy and in a rhythm. He is a man. He keeps learning and growing.”
   

NEXT TIME OUT

• Indiana Wesleyan returns home to Luckey Arena on Saturday and hosts Huntington (Ind.) at 3 p.m. The Indiana Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Honor Class of 2018 will be honored during halftime of the contest.