MARION, Ind. – The top two teams in NAIA Division II played for the first time since the 2018 national semifinals and the two squads produced a second straight classic. No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan men’s basketball nearly overcame a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes but came up one point shy in an 85-85 loss to No. 2 IU East.

RED WOLVES BIG FIRST HALF RUN

Indiana Wesleyan built an early 16-7 lead and led 28-24 with 7 minutes remaining in the first half. The rest of the half saw IU East go on a 25-9 run to take a 49-37 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF RESURGENCE

The Wildcat used a 12-1 run early in the second half to get back into the game. IWU tied the score on three different occasions, including 68-68 with 8 minutes remaining. The Red Wolves scored the next 10 points to lead 78-68 at the five minute mark. The Wildcats responded with a 13-3 run to tie the score for the third and final time at 81-81 with 55 seconds on the clock. Nate Niehoff was fouled on a drive with 35 seconds to go and connected on both free throws for an 83-81 score. A turnover led to a fast break basket and an 85-81 lead with 10 seconds in the game.

IWU vs. IUE II:  SEQUEL A GREAT FOLLOW-UP

No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan beat No. 1 IU East 75-72 in the NAIA National Championship semifinals on March 12, 2018 en route to the program’s third national title in five years. IWU snapped the IU East 28-game winning streak when Bishop Smith’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer did not connect.

TONAGEL’S THOUGHTS

“This game came down to 21 turnovers, giving up 30 free throw attempts on your home court, and then having the other team attempt seven more shots. I was amazed we even had a chance. I thought they outplayed us and had a bit more of an edge. We fought in the second half but when you dig a 12 point hole to a team like this everything has to go your way in the second half. We just turned it over too many times.”

NEXT FOR THE WILDCATS

Indiana Wesleyan hosts the annual Caleb Dimmich Memorial Classic this weekend. IWU opens the weekend vs. Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) at 6 p.m. on Friday while Goshen (Ind.) plays UM Dearborn at 8 p.m.