MARION, Ind. – No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball opened the game on a 32-11 run and beat visiting Rio Grande (Ohio) 79-62 in the first game of the Caleb Dimmich Memorial Classic in Luckey Arena. Freshmen Kyle Mangas and Grant Smith were the only two Wildcats to score double digits on Friday and they combined for 34 points.
GAME VITALS
- Caleb Dimmich Memorial Classic
- Score: Indiana Wesleyan def. Rio Grande, 79-62
- Records: Indiana Wesleyan 3-0 | Rio Grande 0-1
- NAIA Top- 25 Rank: Indiana Wesleyan – No. 6 | Rio Grande – Not ranked
- Location: Luckey Arena | Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, Indiana
PREGAME CEREMONY
- Prior to tip-off, Caleb Dimmich’s parents, David and Krystal Dimmich, were honored with a special Global Impact Bible and a framed collection of Indiana Wesleyan basketball artwork. There was also a video tribute of the legacy of Caleb.
STAT TRACKER
- Trevor Waite: 9 points, 2 assists
- Joel Okafor: 8 points, 4 rebounds
- Kyle Mangas: 24 points, 11-16 FG, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
- Sam McCracken: 9 points, 4-6 FG
- Grant Smith: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
- Evan Maxwell: 9 points, 5 rebounds
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Indiana Wesleyan led 46-24 at halftime and held game-high 28-point leads on three occasions in the second half.
- Ten Wildcats played at least 10 minutes in the win.
- IWU shot 71.0-percent (22 of 31) in the opening half and finished with a 55.2-percent (32 of 58) clip. The Wildcats also shot 82.4-percent (14 of 17) from the foul line.
- Indiana Wesleyan attempted eight 3-point field goals which is the fewest since attempting six vs. Taylor (Ind.) on February 12, 2013.
COACH TONAGEL SAYS…
- On an explosive first half…
“I thought we came out with a lot of energy and really moved the ball well. I think our success caused us to get a little relaxed in the second half.” - On freshmen Kyle Mangas and Grant Smith…
“They are two great basketball players. They just know how to play and you really feel comfortable when they are moving the basketball and when the ball is in their hands. I am glad they showed up tonight because we didn’t get a lot elsewhere.” - On the Luckey Arena atmosphere…
“What a great crowd tonight. I am really thankful for our students and fans that came out. They turned this into an electric place.”
NEXT TIME OUT
- Indiana Wesleyan hosts Miami-Hamilton (Ohio) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the first of two games inside Luckey Arena. Goshen (Ind.) and Rio Grande (Ohio) complete the classic with a 3 p.m. tip-off.