MARION – Kyle Mangas is becoming very accustomed to these big games.

The Indiana Wesleyan sophomore added another big game to his growing legacy and another trophy to the Wildcats’ case after a 76-70 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene. The No. 3-ranked Wildcats repeat as Crossroads League champions, holding off a very game No. 11-ranked Cougars.

Mangas again was at the center of Wesleyan’s championship run, scoring 20 of his team-high 25 points in the second half. His bankshot with 1:12 to go in the second half gave Wesleyan a 72-65 lead, and later caught a long pass for a layup to put the game out of reach. Mangas added nine rebounds to the fray, helping the Wildcats to the championship on its home court.

Indiana Wesleyan trailed 47-37 with 16:45 to play in the second half. That is when IWU ran off a 15-4 run to gain a 52-51 advantage just four minutes later. That spurt was not the key stretch of the game as that began on an Isaac White turnover with 7:31 to play and MVNU clinging to a 65-60 lead. That was the first of 11 straight empty possessions for Mount Vernon Nazarene. Indiana Wesleyan took advantage of the drought and scored 12 unanswered to claim a 72-65 lead with 1:12 to play.

Overcoming a double-digit lead in Luckey Arena has become somewhat common for the Wildcats. IWU has trailed by 10 or more points and still won the game on four occasions this season with wins over Indiana Tech, Bethel (Ind.), Marian (Ind.), and now Mount Vernon Nazarene. IWU overcame a 17-point deficit in both halves on Saturday vs. Marian.

The win moves IWU to 27-5 overall and have win 13 straight tournament games at Luckey Arena. The Wildcats have won six straight Crossroads League Tournament games and 11 straight postseason games overall.

“It never gets old winning championships with a group of guys that journey through a season and being able to watch them grow,” said IWU head coach Greg Tonagel. “When I saw Trevor Waite taking those charges and Joel Okafor giving his heart tonight, that is the joy and fun in coaching.

“We had 11 straight stops in the second half. That started with Trevor Waite taking those charges. When you have guys step up like that and give his body for the team, everybody buys in. I am really proud of Trevor tonight.

“I love our second half effort. There was grit and determination.”