Iowa Wesleyan wins overtime nail-biter

MT. PLEASANT — The Iowa Wesleyan boys defeated the Bellevue University Bruins 80-71 in an overtime finish on Saturday.

Iowa Wesleyan and Bellevue were neck-and-neck to begin the weekend contest. The Tigers held just a seven-point lead seven minutes into the first period, until the Bruins took their first lead of the game.

Both teams exchanged blows, trading the lead until the Tigers Joey Brown hit a three while getting fouled. Brown hit the free throw and the Tigers catapulted to a 39-29 lead at the half after going on a 19-8 run.

In the second half, the Tigers held the lead for the majority of the half until the Bruins tied the game with 3:33 to go.

The lead exchanged hands for the remainder of the contest, and with 19 second in the second period Iowa Wesleyan found themselves down two.

Brown was able to get to the foul line, and hit two clutch free throws to send the game to overtime.

The Tigers were outscored 36-26 in the second half.

In overtime, the point margin was once again slim, but with 1:41 left the Tigers built a five-point lead. The game then came down to the free-throw line.

Brown, Jett Tjaden and Marvin Bateman sunk all their free throws to secure the win.

Brown led the Tigers with 29 points and five rebounds. Kaleb Cresswell finished with 12 points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists. Francis Okwuosah added nine points, while pulling down seven rebounds.

The Tigers shot 42% from the field and 27% from three, while the Bruins shot 39% and 17% respectively.

The bench performed well for the Tigers, scoring 23 points compared to the Bruins six.

Iowa Wesleyan’s next regular season game will be on Dec. 18 against Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com