In a matchup between two undefeated teams, Indiana Wesleyan University came away with an easy victory over Cincinnati Christian University.
What started out as a pretty close affair, soon became a near-blowout. After the first eight minutes of the game, IWU was up just five, as they were struggling to knock their shots down. Bob Peters (jr), however, hit his fourth three in the first twelve minutes to give the Wildcats their first double-digit lead of 26-15. By that point, Indiana Wesleyan was able to get to the rim whenever they wanted. Cincinnati Christian was also really struggling to shoot the ball against IWU’s defense.
For the first half, CCU shot just 31.6 percent from the field, including 20 percent from three. Head Coach Greg Tonagel noticed, too.
“I think it was [our best defensive effort of the year],” said Tonagel. “We got better defensively. I was certainly proud. We had some stretches where we really locked down.”
The Wildcats could have certainly had a bigger lead going into the second half, but Cincinnati Christian dominated the offensive boards, keeping the score at 43-29.
As for the second half, IWU was on cruise control. At one point in the game, the Wildcats had a lead of 28, with CCU having no shot of coming back. The difference for IWU in the half was that they were hitting shots they missed in the first half.
Peters paced the team in scoring with 22 points, and he shot 8-11 from the field, including 5-8 from downtown. Jacob Johnson (so) contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, while Lane Mahurin (jr) added 16 points and five rebounds. Jonny Marlin (sr) had a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.
The team as a whole shot 60.7 percent from the field, and 58.3 percent from three, while CCU shot just 35.3 percent, and 25 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Tonagel had high praise for two of his players: Peters and Grant Zawakzki (fr).
“Bob’s on another level right now in terms of his all-around game,” said Tonagel. He’s worked really hard this summer. His shooting is at a whole other level. When he shoots, it’s effortless right now.”
Tonagel then mentioned the impact of his freshman guard.
“We just decided that his defense is so valuable, and that’s what we really need,” said Tonagel. “He just comes in and he disrupts. He can come in and doesn’t have to have the ball in his hands cause it’s in Jonny’s hands.”
Standing at 5-0, the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats play their next game at IU East on Tuesday, Nov. 17.