A 14-3 run by Indiana Wesleyan erased a nine-point Wabash lead, eventually handing the Wildcats a 66-62 victory in the Little Giant Tipoff Classic.
Wabash had taken a 24-13 lead with 6:50 left in the first half on a Wesley Smith three pointer. Another layup by Smith and a three by Andy Root (right) answered a small scoring run by IWU before the Cats started their run on a jumper by Zach Coverstone. Root drilled a three-pointer with 2:48 left in the first half to push the Wabash lead back to eight points. Classic MVP Antonio Murrell responded with a three after a layup by Ryan Hetrick and a free throw by Coverstone to trim the Little Giants' advantage to 32-30 at the break.
Coverstone tied the game with the first basket of the second half before Phil Brackman gave IWU its first lead of the game. Earl Rooks ended the scoring run with a layup and a free throw toput Wabash back in front.
Once again the Little Giants would race out to an eight-point lead, this time with 14 minutes left in the contest. Hetrick and Murrell cut away with baskets as the Wildcats used several back-door cuts to not only tie the contest once again, but eventually move in front by as a many as 10 points.
The Little Giants battled down the stretch, overcoming the Indiana Wesleyan lead to tie the game for the ninth time, this time at 58-58 with 3:31 left. Murrell and Spencer Harris, another All-Classic team selection for the Wildcats, took over down the stretch to preserve the win.
Senior Andrew Zimmer earned a spot on the All-Classic team with a Wabash-best 23 points and nine rebounds. Smith was an All-Classic pick as well, scoring eight points with five boards. Root tossed in 10 points for Wabash.
The Little Giants (1-1) travel to Hanover College Monday night for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
Kentucky Christian defeated Humber College 100-87 in the earlier contest Saturday.