Indiana Wesleyan Beats St. Francis In NAIA Final
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By NAIA Sports Information-
The Wildcats hold the championship banner for the second time, also winning the title in 2014, both under the direction of head coach Greg Tonagel. They end the season matching a school record for wins at 33-5.
Bob Peters scored 20 points and was among four IWU players to net double figures in the championship contest. Lane Mahurin poured in 18, including a free throw with 6.8 seconds left to put his team up two. Dynamic floor leader Jonny Marlin, the championship’s most outstanding player, scored 10 points and dished out four assists. Josh Mawhorr chipped in 10 points and five rebounds, all coming in the final half.
Tuesday’s victory was the first win for IWU over Saint Francis in four tries this season. The Cougars won both regular season games and the conference tournament championship on March 1.
Indiana Wesleyan held its largest lead of the second half (58-51) with just over eight minutes left. Saint Francis senior Austin Fox, however, scored on three straight possessions, getting his team to within one and setting up an edge-of-your-seat final-five minute classic.
A Mahurin basket gave Indiana Wesleyan the lead for good and two free throws by Peters put the Wildcats in front by three. Both teams scored on their next possessions and a jumper by St. Francis’ Kegan Comer made it a one-point game again, 67-66, with 31 seconds left.
St. Francis forced a turnover to get the ball back and put the ball in the hands of Comer, whose jumper on the wing was just off, forcing the Cougars to foul Peters with six seconds left.
Peters made 1 of 2 free throws to put Indiana Wesleyan up two (68-66) and gave the Cougars one last chance to tie or win it, but a shot by Comer came up short and the Wildcats were fouled after securing the rebound with less than a second left.
Indiana Wesleyan shot 40 percent for the game and 56 percent (9 of 16) from the three-point line, making six of its first eight shots from beyond the arc and racing out to a 24-11 lead.
The Cougars rallied behind the play of its their gritty backcourt, Comer and Seth Small, who combined to score 16 of their team’s final 22 points to make it a five point game at the half, 39-34.
Comer led all scorers with 22 points for the Cougars, netting eight straight points to put his team in front briefly at the start of the second half. Bryce Lienhoop registered his third double-double of the national tournament with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Fox also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards.
St. Francis shot 39 percent for the game, the first time the Cougars were held under 40 percent in the 32-team tournament. The Cougars ended their fantastic season with a 33-5 record.
“We couldn’t make a stop a month ago but this team bought in and won a national championship on defense,” said IWU head coach Greg Tonagel. “I am so proud of this team. We weren’t naturally a good defensive team but they bought in and became one just in time.”[[In-content Ad]]
The Wildcats hold the championship banner for the second time, also winning the title in 2014, both under the direction of head coach Greg Tonagel. They end the season matching a school record for wins at 33-5.
Bob Peters scored 20 points and was among four IWU players to net double figures in the championship contest. Lane Mahurin poured in 18, including a free throw with 6.8 seconds left to put his team up two. Dynamic floor leader Jonny Marlin, the championship’s most outstanding player, scored 10 points and dished out four assists. Josh Mawhorr chipped in 10 points and five rebounds, all coming in the final half.
Tuesday’s victory was the first win for IWU over Saint Francis in four tries this season. The Cougars won both regular season games and the conference tournament championship on March 1.
Indiana Wesleyan held its largest lead of the second half (58-51) with just over eight minutes left. Saint Francis senior Austin Fox, however, scored on three straight possessions, getting his team to within one and setting up an edge-of-your-seat final-five minute classic.
A Mahurin basket gave Indiana Wesleyan the lead for good and two free throws by Peters put the Wildcats in front by three. Both teams scored on their next possessions and a jumper by St. Francis’ Kegan Comer made it a one-point game again, 67-66, with 31 seconds left.
St. Francis forced a turnover to get the ball back and put the ball in the hands of Comer, whose jumper on the wing was just off, forcing the Cougars to foul Peters with six seconds left.
Peters made 1 of 2 free throws to put Indiana Wesleyan up two (68-66) and gave the Cougars one last chance to tie or win it, but a shot by Comer came up short and the Wildcats were fouled after securing the rebound with less than a second left.
Indiana Wesleyan shot 40 percent for the game and 56 percent (9 of 16) from the three-point line, making six of its first eight shots from beyond the arc and racing out to a 24-11 lead.
The Cougars rallied behind the play of its their gritty backcourt, Comer and Seth Small, who combined to score 16 of their team’s final 22 points to make it a five point game at the half, 39-34.
Comer led all scorers with 22 points for the Cougars, netting eight straight points to put his team in front briefly at the start of the second half. Bryce Lienhoop registered his third double-double of the national tournament with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Fox also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards.
St. Francis shot 39 percent for the game, the first time the Cougars were held under 40 percent in the 32-team tournament. The Cougars ended their fantastic season with a 33-5 record.
“We couldn’t make a stop a month ago but this team bought in and won a national championship on defense,” said IWU head coach Greg Tonagel. “I am so proud of this team. We weren’t naturally a good defensive team but they bought in and became one just in time.”[[In-content Ad]]
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