Bontrager's Monster Double-Double Leads IWU Past No. 21 Indiana Tech

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan men's basketball picked up their first ranked win of the season, earning an 86–70 road win over Indiana Tech on Saturday afternoon to close out the CRL/WHAC Challenge. The Wildcats shot nearly 50 percent from the field and outrebounded the Warriors 50–26 to move to 3–0 on the season.

Caedmon Bontrager led the charge with a career-high 30 points and 22 rebounds for his third straight double-double. His rebound total is the second-highest in a game behind Perry Frank's game with 32 rebounds in 1984.


THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. | Mol Arena
• Records: IWU: 3-0  | INT 2-1
• NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - #6 | INT - #21

FIRST HALF

• Indiana Wesleyan took an early lead after a layup by Bontrager at 17:42, which tied the game at 2-2. 
• A 3-pointer from Millen McCartney at 13:53 extended the Wildcats' lead to six points. 
• The red and grey's defense held strong, maintaining the lead despite Blake Davison's 3-pointer at 5:18, which brought the Warriors within seven points. 
• IWU closed the half with a commanding 15-point lead, 47-32.

SECOND HALF

• The Wildcats built momentum early in the half with a 20-point lead at 17:44, sparked by a layup and free throw from Julius Gizzi. 
• The Warriors answered with consecutive 3-pointers from Steele Brasfield, narrowing the deficit to 13 points by 16:24. 
• Midway through the half, Indiana Wesleyan's Bontrager hit two 3-pointers in succession, extending the visitor's lead to 15 points at 8:45. 
• The red and grey maintained their advantage, closing the game with an 86-70 victory over Indiana Tech.

KEY WILDCATS

• Caedmon Bontrager: 30 points, 22 rebounds, 11-17 FG, 2-4 3FG, 6-7 FT
• Crew Gibson: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4-6 3FG
• Julius Gizzi: 13 points, 3 assists, 5-6 FT
• Millen McCartney: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2-5 3FG
• Jake Smith: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4-7 FG

TEAM COMPARISON

• Shooting: IWU 49% FG, 39% 3PT, 68% FT; IT 40% FG, 36% 3PT, 63% FT
• Rebounds: IWU 50 (15 offensive); IT 26
• Points in the Paint: IWU 38; IT 18
• Second Chance Points: IWU 19; IT 1

LOOKING AHEAD

• Indiana Wesleyan returns to Luckey Arena on Wednesday against Florida Memorial at 3:00PM.
• Links for tickets, video, and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

• Follow Athletics (@IWUWildcats): Instagram | X | Facebook
• Follow Men's Basketball (@IWUHoops): Instagram | X | Facebook

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