With a bevy of talented, athletic players capable of scoring from just about anywhere on the floor, IWU Head Coach Greg Tonagel’s main focus heading into his 16th year at the helm of the program was on the defensive end of the floor.
And in their fourth game of the season against Madonna on Tuesday night, IWU’s defensive prowess was on display, particularly in the second half, in a 107-67 rout of the Crusaders, improving the Wildcats record to 4-0.
It is the ninth time in the Tonagel era that the Wildcats have started a season with four straight wins.
The Wildcats forced 20 turnovers and collected four steals, while holding the Crusaders to just 27-of-65 shooting (41.5 percent) from the field.
IWU’s depth was also showcased on Tuesday night as six different players finished in double figures. Kyle Mangas led the way with 22 points, his 10th straight game of 20 or more points, while Seth Maxwell finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
Freshman Tayson Parker collected 16 points off the bench, while sophomore Spencer Piercefield was a scorching five-of-seven from beyond the arc for 15 points. Toledo transfer Dylan Alderson also scored 15 points – 13 of which came after halftime – and Michael Thompson III rounded out the group with 12.
“That’s what this team’s got,” Tonagel said. “A lot of different guys who can score. We are not too heavily relying on Kyle. Kyle can give you 40 any time he wants, but he’s content just to pass it, which says a lot about him.”
For the first 10 minutes of the contest, the Wildcats and the Crusaders battled with neither team led by more than five points in the first 9:02. While IWU was working to find their rhythm, Thompson collected several key buckets, scoring seven of his 12 points in the early stages to keep the Crusaders at bay.
“Thompson is playing like a senior,” Tonagel said. “He just makes small, little plays. He does whatever is asked of him. He is always willing to lead. So I’m very happy with what he is doing so far.”
With 10:37 remaining, Madonna’s Ryan Nunn scored to cut IWU’s lead to three, but that was as close as the Crusaders would get. From that moment on, the Wildcats’ defense took control, and their offense scored seemingly at will.
In fact, over the final 10:58 of the first half, the Wildcats outscored Madonna 33-13, building a 53-30 halftime lead in the process.
“Our guys were locked in,” Tonagel said. “They guarded collectively, and they guarded individually. There was better focus tonight on each possession.”
The Wildcats carried their momentum over into the second half and continued to pile up the points while holding the Crusaders off the scoreboard. The Wildcats’ lead grew to 31 points in the first six minutes of the second stanza and continued to grow from there, ballooning to as many as 47 points before eventually settling at 43.
Remarkably efficient offensively, IWU knocked down a scorching 61.1 percent of their shots (22-of-36) after halftime.
After their first four games, the Wildcats are certainly trending in the right direction, and Tonagel hopes that it will continue that way.
“We are ahead of the game right now in scoring,” Tonagel said. “Our defense is improving, and once that catches up, I think we have a team that can really compete on both ends.”
