MARION, Ind. – Luckey Arena was host to a top-five matchup and a share of the Crossroads League championship at stake. No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball used a 31-9 run in the second half to come from behind and beat No. 3 Spring Arbor (Mich.) 90-79 to earn the program’s 10th Crossroads League championship.

SECOND HALF SURGE

Spring Arbor led 46-45 at the break and opened the second half with 10 of the first 12 points to build a 56-47 advantage with 16:08 to play. However, Indiana Wesleyan buttoned down defensively and turned that into offense, which resulted in a 31-9 over the next 11 minutes. IWU turned a nine point deficit into a 78-65 lead with 5:15 remaining. Five different Wildcats scored in the decisive stretch.

PERFECT 10

Indiana Wesleyan clinches at least a share of the Crossroads League championship with the win. The league title is the 10th in program history and second straight for the Wildcats. Indiana Wesleyan has won 10 of the last 13 league championships.

BOARD BATTLE

The Wildcats outrebounded the Cougars 36-26. All eight Wildcats that played on Tuesday had at least two boards, led by Evan Maxwell with eight and Kyle Mangas with seven. IWU moves to 23-0 this season when they outrebound their opponent.

TONAGEL THOUGHTS

“We played very well defensively in the second half and that begins with Joel Okafor. He turned things around for us in the second half. It really ignited us. He is on the floor and he is laying his body out and if you’re his teammate you can’t help but do the same. Guys follow suit.”

“This was an intense game and they are a tough team. If you want to describe that team it’s toughness. If you’re going to beat them you’re going to have to match that toughness. I thought in the second half we did that.”

NEXT FOR THE WILDCATS

Indiana Wesleyan closes out the regular season on Saturday with a road game at No. 11 Marian (Ind.) in Indianapolis. IWU can secure the outright championship and the No. 1 seed in the league tournament with a victory at Marian.