MARION, Ind. – No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball played a game on Saturday vs. No. 23 Bethel that felt very familiar to their last game vs. Indiana Tech on December 28. IWU overcame a double digit deficit for the second consecutive game to secure a 95-92 victory. Indiana Wesleyan trailed by 15-points in the first half and Kyle Mangas scored 30+ points for the second straight game against a ranked opponent.

PLENTY OF FREE POINTS

The story of the game was free throw shooting as the two teams combined for 69 free throw attempts. Indiana Wesleyan hit 77.4-percent from the line on 24-of-31 attempts. Bethel finished at 71.1-percent as they had 27-of-38 shooting, including 22-of-31 in the second half.

BETHEL SHOOTING KEYS FIRST HALF

The Pilot offense was excellent in the opening 20 minutes as they scored 53 points on 58.8-percent shooting (20 of 34). Trevion Crews and Paul Forman combined for 33 points to lead BC. The 53 points is the most for any Wildcat opponent in any half this season, surpassing the previous high of 49 points.

IWU DEFENSE LEADS SECOND HALF COMEBACK

The Wildcats responded after a porous opening half with a second half that limited the Pilots to 29.2-percent shooting (7 of 24). After 20 field goals made in the opening half, the Pilots only made seven in the final 20 minutes. The Pilots did not connect on a basket in the final 4:30 of the contest and their last eight points came at the line.

BIG RUN KEYS WIN

Indiana Wesleyan outscored Bethel 49-24 in a run that changed the entire game. Bethel led by a game-high 15 points with a 50-35 lead and under three minutes to play in the first half. Canaan Coffey ignited the big run with a 3-pointer and he closed it with two free throws with 6:55 remaining as the Wildcats built an 84-74 advantage.

TONAGEL THOUGHTS

“Bethel came out and played well and hit us with a punch. We were on our heals but our guys responded well and stayed the course. That is the second game in a row we were down double digits and came back to win. It all comes back to mentality.”

NEXT FOR THE WILDCATS

Indiana Wesleyan hosts Grant County rival Taylor (Ind.) on Tuesday in Luckey Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.