MARION, Ind. – Top-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball had to grind out an 81-65 win on Tuesday vs. Saint Francis (Ind.) in Luckey Arena. The Wildcats limited the visiting Cougars to 39-percent shooting to win their 11th consecutive game.

CLOSING TIME

Saint Francis used a 10-2 run to capture a 48-47 advantage with 13 minutes to play in the game. However, Indiana Wesleyan once again closed out a game in convincing fashion as the Wildcats finished the night on a 33-16 run. The last USF field goal came with 5:20 on the clock and two free throws with 3:59 to play were their final points.

MAXWELL MOMENTUM

Evan Maxwell has averaged 23.7 points and 5.9 rebounds over the past seven games while shooting 71-percent from the field and 58-percent from 3-point range. On Tuesday, Maxwell led all players with 25 points on 12-of-15 shooting.  

11 STRONG

The Wildcats continue their win streak as it moves to 11 straight victories. IWU went 8-0 during the month of January and have wins over seven ranked teams during the 11-game stretch.

TONAGEL THOUGHTS

“Evan Maxwell is an absolute animal right now and he is doing a lot of good things for us. Our guards are really getting him the ball right now and finding him in key spots. And Grant Smith had a great game with 11 assists and just one turnover. He just continues to get better and he is playing his best basketball right now.”

“Saint Francis battled. It was a close game and they are missing guys. You have to give them credit for the way they fought.”

NEXT FOR THE WILDCATS

Indiana Wesleyan travels to Goshen (Ind.) on Saturday for the first of two straight road games. Tip follows the women’s game at approximately 3 p.m. in Goshen, Indiana.