MARION, Ind. – No. 5-seed Indiana Wesleyan men’s basketball took the court in Luckey Arena on Friday afternoon to face No. 12-seed Madonna in the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship First Round. After a tightly contested game through 30 minutes of play, the Wildcats exploded for 23-6 run to put the game out of reach and secure the victory, 96-77. The Wildcats advance to the second round to face No. 4-seed Life (Ga.) tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Marion, Ind. | Lukcey Arena
• Records: IWU: 22-9 | MU: 19-12
• NAIA Seeding: IWU – #5 | MU – #12

WHAT HAPPENED

• Both teams were even through the first ten minutes of play with the score at 25-25. Madonna shot 60% from the field, while Indiana Wesleyan went 9-19 at 47.4%.
• Despite Madonna shooting 53% from the field with 5 three’s, IWU’s defense forced 5 turnovers and held a 46-44 lead at halftime.
• Neither team was able to pull ahead to start the second half, and the game was tied 62-62 with ten minutes left in the game.
• The Wildcats caught fire with a 23-6 run over a 7-minute stretch to lock up the NAIA First Round win, 96-77.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 14: Indiana Wesleyan scored 14 points off Madonna’s 13 turnovers.
• 12: Bright Kari recorded a new season-high with 12 points.
• 10: IWU committed a season-low 10 fouls the entire game.
• 4: The Wildcats only turned the ball over 4 times, setting a season-low.

• Caedmon Bontrager: 28 points, 11-16 FG, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Griffin Kliewer: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
• Luke Brown: 16 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
• Bright Kari: 12 points, 5 rebounds

• The Wildcats advance to the second round to face No. 4-seed Life (Ga.) tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.
• Links for video and stats can be found on the Tournament Central Page by clicking HERE.