POINT LOOKOUT, MO. – The fourth time was the charm.

After being defeated by decided margins in its previous three meetings during the season, including the Crossroads League championship game, Indiana Wesleyan finally got its revenge. The Cougars rallied to upset top-seeded St. Francis, 69-66, in the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship game Tuesday night.

Trailing 62-61, Lane Mahurin scored a basket to put Wesleyan up 63-62, a lead the team wouldn’t lose the rest of the night. Bryce Lienhoop hit a shot to bring St. Francis within one at 67-66 with 31 seconds left, but a pair of free throws from Wesleyan coupled with a pair of misses from Kegan Comer sent the Cougars off with the championship.

Bob Peters paced Indiana Wesleyan (33-5) with 20 points and five rebounds. Mahurin finished with 18 points and Josh Mawhorr and Jonny Marlin each scored 10 points.

St. Francis (33-5) had Lienhoop end with 15 points and 10 boards, Comer lead all scorers with 22 points, and Austin Fox record 14 points and 12 boards.

“We couldn’t make a stop a month ago,” stated Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel. “But this team bought in and won a national championship on defense. I am so proud of this team. We weren’t naturally a good defensive team but they bought in and became one just in time.”

Wesleyan wins its second title in three years, and ties a school record for wins in a season with 33. Marlin was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, and while the game was going on, was honored at the NCCAA tournament banquet in Warsaw for winning the Pete Maravich Award, honoring Marlin’s excellence in competition, skill, academics and Christian service during his career.