MARION, Ind. - No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan men's basketball tipped off their 2024-25 season on Thursday night with a 82-72 win over Indiana Tech in the CRL/WHAC Challenge. After falling to the Warriors in their last three meetings by an average score of less than three points, the Wildcats executed in the final minutes of another close game to secure the victory. Caedmon Bontrager led IWU with 27 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
- Location: Marion, Indiana | Luckey Arena
- Records: IWU: 1-0 | INT: 0-1
- NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - #3 | INT - Receiving Votes
- DeeJuan Pruitt score the first bucket of the season on with a three-point shot on IWU's first offensive possession.
- The Warriors jumped out to a five-point lead early, but the Wildcats came storming back on a 13-2 run to take a six-point lead with just under 10 minutes left in the half.
- IWU shot 56.7% from the field while going a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line to take a 49-31 lead at halftime.
- Indiana Tech got hot to start the second half and went on a 20-6 run in 7:30 of game time to cut the deficit to four points.
- Both teams traded baskets as IWU was never able to push the lead past 10 points for the remainder of the game.
- With a 40 seconds left and a three-point lead, Luke Brown hit a layup to extend the lead to 80-75.
- Indiana Tech responded with a three-pointer to cut the margin to two, but clutch free throws from DJ Moore iced the game for the Wildcats.
- 5: IWU made key defensive stops with 5 blocks in the game.
- 9: The Wildcats knocked down nine shots from downtown at 39%
- 17: Indiana Wesleyan held the advantage at the free-throw line, going 17-24 compared to 9-24 for Indiana Tech.
- Caedmon Bontrager: 27 points, 8-15 FG, 9-14 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
- DeeJuan Pruitt: 20 points, 4-6 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks
- Luke Brown: 14 points, 7-12 FG, 5 assists,
- The Wildcats are back in action tomorrow for their second game of the CRL/WHAC Challenge.
- IWU will take on Cornerstone at 5:00PM in Luckey Arena.
- Links for tickets, video, and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.
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