MARION, Ind. - On Wednesday night , No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan men's basketball secured their fourth victory in row at home against the University of Rio Grande with a final score of 86-81. The game was close, featuring six lead changes in the first half with IWU entering halftime with a three-point lead at 35-32. The Wildcats held their largest lead of the game of 15 with four minutes left in the game. However, Rio Grande responded with a 10-2 run, narrowing the deficit to 2 points with 30 seconds to go. Three free throws from Griffin Kleiwer and a clutch stop secured IWU their fourth win in a row. Sophomore Javan Buchanan led the Wildcats with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.
- Location: Marion, Ind. | Luckey Arena
- Records: IWU: 4-1 | URG: 5-1
- NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - #11 | URG - Unranked
- The first half was a tight game as IWU and URG went back and forth with six different lead changes to enter the second half with a three-point IWU lead at 35-32.
- The Wildcats found themselves with a 15-point lead with four minutes to go; their largest of the game.
- After Rio Grande cut the margin to two points with 30 seconds to go, but junior Griffin Kliewer made three clutch free throws to secure the win.
- 64: The Wildcats attacked the rim well, scoring 64 of their 86 points in the paint.
- 64%: IWU was efficient in scoring tonight, shooting a season-best 64% from the field.
- 18: Indiana Wesleyan shot 18 attempts from the free-throw line compared to just six for Rio Grande.
- 5: IWU recorded 5 blocked shots to tie a season-high.
- Javan Buchanan: 19 points, 7-11 FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
- Caedmon Bontrager: 17 points, 7-8 FG, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
- Griffin Kliewer: 15 points, 6-8 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
- Nathan Childress: 14 points,
- IWU will be back in Luckey Arena on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. to begin Crossroads League play against No. 17 Huntington.
- Links for tickets, video, and stats are available at IWUWildcats.com
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