The 8-0 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball team reached 100 points for the third straight game Tuesday, Nov. 18 in a resounding 104-71 victory over visiting Judson University (Ill.).
Zac Vandewater (sr) gets ready to shoot a three-point shot. // Photo taken by Becka Roth
The 0-7 Eagles started out the game firing from the three-point line and kept the score close early in the first half, at one point drawing to an 11-10 score in favor of the Wildcats.
However, IWU quickly squashed Judson’s hopes of an upset.
By midway through the opening period, the Wildcats had built a 34-17 lead, thanks to playmaking defense and an impressive transition offense attack. On the game, the Eagles turned the ball over 24 times to the Wildcats’ 11, which IWU used to its advantage on the fast break.
It was smooth sailing from then on for the Wildcats. At one point, the lead ballooned to 99-58 before both teams put in their reserves to finish the game.
Lane Mahurin (so) led the Wildcats with 19 points on an ultra-efficient 7-of-8 shooting from the field, and Josh Mawhorr (jr) and Bob Peters (so) added 17 and 16, respectively.
“Wesley the Third” was unveiled during halftime. // Photo taken by Jared Johnson
The primary setup man for IWU’s big point-scorers was point guard Jonny Marlin (jr), who dished out 10 assists. Despite playing over 23 minutes, Marlin did not attempt a single field goal in the game.
Wildcats Head Coach Greg Tonagel is pleased with how his team has treated its early-season schedule.
“Coming off of 40-point victories, it’s hard to have good practices,” Tonagel said. “But the team is working hard every day.”
At halftime, the athletic department unveiled a new costume for the school’s mascot, Wesley the Wildcat. The new outfit is the first one for the mascot since 1998.
The Wildcats take the court 7 p.m. next Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. The contest will be IWU’s first Crossroads League matchup of the season.