SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan men's basketball started off 2024 with a key road win against Crossroads League foe Spring Arbor. Nathan Childress continued to elevate his game with a career-high 33 points. IWU picked up their seventh-straight win and improve to 12-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Indiana Wesleyan has won nine straight games against Spring Arbor.

 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Spring Arbor, Mich. | McDonald Athletic Center
• Record: IWU: 12-2, 3-1 CRL | SAU 9-5, 2-2 CRL
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #9 | SAU - Unranked

WHAT HAPPENED

• The game began with 3 lead changes as SAU held a 17-15 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
• IWU used a 15-4 run to take a 38-28 lead into halftime.
• The two teams traded buckets in begin the second half, and IWU continued to hold an 8-point lead with 10 minutes to go.
• Spring Arbor cut IWU's lead to 3 with 1:00 left in the game.
• Four points and two defensive stops for the Wildcats secured the 71-66 victory.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 33: Nathan Childress's 33 points is the most in a game by a Wildcat this season.
• 22: IWU held a 22-11 advantage in points off turnovers.
• 13: Spring Arbor standout averages 26.5 points and Indiana Wesleyan held him to 13.
• 48: Nathan Childress ranks second in the league with a three-point shooting percentage of 48%

KEY WILDCATS

• Nathan Childress: 33 points, 12/18 FG, 7 rebounds
• Griffin Kleiwer: 13 points, 2 rebounds

TONAGEL PERSPECTIVE

• "Road wins in the league are hard to get, especially up here in SAU," said Head Coach Greg Tonagel. "I thought Nate Childress carried us in so many dry stretches offensively. On the defensive end, it was a great team effort."

NEXT TIME OUT

• IWU returns home to face the University of Saint Francis on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
• Links for tickets, video, and stats are available at IWUWildcats.com.
• Fans are encouraged to wear black!

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