MARION, Ind. – Crossroads League play started tonight with a bang as No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball needed overtime in a 92-86 win over Grace (Ind.) in Luckey Arena. IWU closed out the game on an 8-2 run to give the Lancers their first loss of the season.

DOUBLE DIGIT DEFICIT

Grace led nearly the entire first half and took a 45-36 lead into halftime. GC scored on the opening possession of the second half for an 11-point lead which was the largest of the game for either team. Over the next five minutes, Indiana Wesleyan used a 19-5 run to gain a 55-52 lead, their first lead since 2-0.

STRONG FINISH

Indiana Wesleyan never trailed in overtime but Grace did manage to tie the score twice, the final one at 84-84 with 1:18 to play. Grant Smith forced his way down low to score the go-ahead bucket and start the 8-2 run that closed the game out. The six point final margin of victory was the largest lead for the Wildcats.

BALANCE ON OFFENSE

For the sixth time this season, Indiana Wesleyan showcased its versatility with five players in double digits. Evan Maxwell led the Wildcats with a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Maxwell scored 12 of the first 22 IWU points in the game. Trevor Waite was huge off the bench with 15 points, just one point shy of his career-high.

TONAGEL THOUGHTS

“Our backs were against the wall several times. But we just kept coming up with winning plays. It wasn’t pretty but when we needed to make a play our kids found a way to do it.”

NEXT FOR THE WILDCATS

Indiana Wesleyan is off for Thanksgiving and return to action next Tuesday at No. 15 Mount Vernon Nazarene in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.