FORT WAYNE, Ind. – No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball lost for the first time in over a month with an 85-71 setback at Saint Francis (Ind.). IWU struggled to score on Tuesday with a season-low 71 points and failed to score a basket for over six minutes in the first half to fall behind 36-27 at halftime.

CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH

Indiana Wesleyan and Saint Francis played for the first time since the 2018 NAIA DII National Championship game on March 13. IWU won the program’s third title in five years – with two championship game wins over Saint Francis – by a score of 84-71.

STREAKS SNAPPED

The Wildcats entered the game with an eight game win streak plus an identical eight game win streak in the series vs. the Cougars. It is the first loss for the Wildcats since an 85-84 setback vs. No. 2 IU East on October 30. The win streak vs. USF began on March 15, 2016 in the NAIA DII National Championship game and ended with tonight’s loss.

SHOOTING WOES

Indiana Wesleyan suffered their worst offensive performance of the season at Saint Francis. IWU had season-lows of 43.9-percent (29 of 66) shooting, four 3-point baskets made, and 20.0-percent (4 of 20) from beyond the arc. The 27 points in the first half is the lowest in any half this season.

Meanwhile, Saint Francis hit 50.8-percent (31 of 61) from the floor. USF is the first team to shoot 50-percent or better against Indiana Wesleyan this season.

NEXT FOR THE WILDCATS

Indiana Wesleyan travels to Spring Arbor (Mich.) on Saturday as part of a men’s-women’s doubleheader. The women tip at 1 p.m. with the men to follow at approximately 3 p.m. in Spring Arbor, Michigan.