The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team gave NAIA #10 Indiana Wesleyan all they could handle Tuesday night, but couldn't quite manufacture the upset and fell 57-60 in the final moments of the game.

Spring Arbor hung in there through a first half that seemed to be controlled primarily by the Wildcats, whose lead fluxuated between 7 and 10 points for much of the period. SAU shot 41%in the first half, while IWU stroked the nets at a 47% clip, including 50% (5-10) form behind the three point line.

After going into the halftime break down by 9, the Cougars came out with better intensity in the second period, and were able to shoot a respectable 46%, while increased defensive pressure held IWU to a mere 24%.

As time ticked off the scoreboard, the Cougars chiseled away at the Wildcats lead until Scott Parrish trimmed the margin to just one at 57-58 on a put-back with less than a minute remaining. The Cougars were forced to foul and Joel Tonagel made both of his free throws, leaving SAU down by three with around 12 seconds remaining.

SAU head coach Ryan Cottingham took a timeout and designed a play that got Darby Decker (top) isolated at the top of the key. Decker got a good look from behind the arc to tie the game, but his shot rattled off the back iron, allowing IWU to escape with the victory.

"We're right there," commented Cottingham. "Our effort in the second half was good, and we gave ourselves an opportunity to tie it up, it just didn't go our way. I am proud of how the guys played tonight, and we will continue to work hard to get better."

Spring Arbor falls to 15-9 overall and 3-7 in MCC play with the loss, and will travel to Goshen College on Saturday, looking to avenge a home loss to the Maple Leafs in November.