NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 88, Indiana Wesleyan 74
Records: Life U, 27-6; Indiana Wesleyan, 22-9
MARION, Ind. – The No. 4 seed Life University men's basketball team advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament late Saturday afternoon, taking down No. 5 seed and host Indiana Wesleyan by double digits. It was a complete team effort for the Running Eagles on both ends of the floor, notably on the offensive end where Life U went 11-18 from beyond the arch.
Life U was forced to survive an early onslaught as the Wildcats came out swinging. Charged up by a packed home gym, Indiana Wesleyan went on a 17-6 run in the first six minutes, with a pair of three-pointers from Tyreke Johnson being the only points for the Running Eagles. However, three straight buckets from Cortez Johnson, Ladarron Cleveland and Chaze Harris quieted the crowd and pulled the team back within five. Though the Wildcats hit a three, Srdjan Popovich returned the favor with Matija Gledic and Will Freeman collecting buckets directly after. In just over four minutes, Life U flipped an 11-point deficit into a one-point lead.
From there, the offensive onslaught flipped in favor of the Running Eagles as IWU struggled to keep up. Capturing its largest lead of the half with 01:38 left to play, Life U nearly led by nine going into the break but a buzzer-beater three from the Wildcats cut the lead to six, 37-31.
The offense was red hot in the first, shooting 7-11 from three (63.6%). The defense caused all sorts of problems for IWU, forcing 10 turnovers in the half. Tyreke Johnson led the team with nine points, all of which came from beyond the arch.
Tyreke Johnson and company got right back to work, with Harris driving to the cup and slamming home a dunk on the first offensive possession of the second half. Following another bucket in the paint for Harris, Popovich once again connected from downtown. Cortez Johnson earned a trip to the free throw line shortly after, making both. A Wildcats turnover ensured on the next possession which led to yet another Harris bucket in the paint.
Now with a double-digit lead for the first time in the game, Life U put its foot on the gas. Running the lead up to 18, the Running Eagles appeared to be on their way to an easy victory. However, the packed-out home arena willed Indiana Wesleyan into making one last run. Lights-out shooting on the run, including three-straight three-pointers pulled the Wildcats back within single digits as the home crowd continued to be heard. With just 09:08 left in regulation, it appeared as if the contest could come down to the wire.
Nine points was as close as IWU would get to the Running Eagles as Life U ran the lead back up to 17 with 03:04 left. The lead finished at 14, with the Running Eagles advancing to the Round of 16, defeating No. 5 seed Indiana Wesleyan by a score of 88-74.
The offense finished 11-18 from three (61.1%) while winning the turnover battle 16-9 on the defensive side of the floor. Chaze Harris went big again, scoring 21 points in the second half and recording three steals.
The No. 4 seed Running Eagles advance to the Round of 16 to face No. 1 seed Freeman-Hardeman (Tenn.) in Kansas City. The time and date have not been announced.
TURNING POINT:
--The Running Eagles overcame a 17-6 run from Indiana Wesleyan to start the contest, taking the hometown crowd out of the contest.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Chaze Harris led all scorers with 25 points while also adding five assists and three steals.
--Tyreke Johnson scored 15 points on 3-4 shooting from three.
--Cortez Johnson racked up 14 points, going a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line.
--Srdjan Popovich went for 11 points on 3-6 shooting from beyond the arch.
Find all the information on the 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament here.
