By Matt Bos, NAIA Media Coordinator

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score) –Top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan needed to overcome its second largest deficit of the season to defeat No. 16 Warner Pacific (Ore.) 79-71 in the second round of the NAIA Men's NAIA Division II Basketball National Championship at Point Lookout, Mo.

The Wildcats found themselves down 23-8 following a 17-2 Warner Pacific run, capped by a three-pointer by Earl Jones at the 11-minute mark of the first half. The deficit was the second largest of the season for Indiana Wesleyan, who trailed Saint Francis by 17 on Jan. 31 only to come back and defeat the Cougars 76-75.

“I knew that wasn’t us,” said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel. “We executed during practice and we just panicked I think. They have a great zone. It’s unique and it’s not like anything we’ve seen and it just snowballed.”

Still down by 14 with five minutes left in the first half, Indiana Wesleyan began its comeback, outscoring Warner Pacific 18-6 the rest of the way to trail 39-37 at the break after a three-pointer at the horn by Jacob Johnson.

“The 3 before half was just an absolute dagger,” said Tonagel. “We carried all the momentum into halftime.”

The game remained in balance for much of the second half until a 12-4 decisive run put the Wildcats in front 71-61 following a basket by Johnson with 2:20 to go.

Five Indiana Wesleyan players scored in double figures, led by Johnson and Jonny Marlin who both came off the bench and share game-high honors with 17 points each. Johnson also pulled down 10 rebounds to register the double-double. Zac Vandewater chipped in 14. The Wildcats held a 34-23 edge on the boards, including 10 on the offensive glass.

“To weather that and come back speaks volumes of the character of this team,” stated Tonagel. “Especially our seniors.”

Three players scored 14 points for Warner Pacific, Doug Thomas, Coletun Tarr and Laron Daniels. Both Michael Hall and Jones netted 10 points each. The Knights end the season with a 26-8 record.

Indiana Wesleyan improves to 33-2 on the year and will play the winner of No. 8 Davenport (Mich.) and No. 9 Mount Mercy on Saturday at 7pm.