POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - Warner Pacific outscored Indiana Wesleyan 8 to 5 in the overtime period, and will advance to the second round after a 79-76 win at the NAIA Div. II National Championships.

WP started the game with a hot shooting hand, hitting four straight from the three point line to build a 17-9 lead in the early going. Later in the first half, the Knights enjoyed a 10 point advantage but saw the Wildcats go on a 9-2 run to close the period, making the score 36-33 at the break.

Warner Pacific began the second period with a purpose, scoring nine straight in the opening minutes on the way to a 13 point lead (48-35) at the 16:58 mark. IWU slowly climbed back into game as the half wore on, however, and eventually tied the game at 60-60 on a Jordan Weidner drive and score with 5:13 to play.

The teams traded baskets until Andrey Orlov scored a tough basket inside to give the Knights a 71-68 lead with :24 seconds left in regulation. On the ensuing possession, Wildcats guard Derrick Troyer knocked down a game-tying 3-pointer with just six seconds left to send the game into overtime.

The game was scoreless for nearly two minutes in the overtime period but with Indiana Wesleyan leading by one (74-73), WPU converted six-consecutive free throws during the final minute to earn the win.

Warner Pacific shot 42% for the game, 50% from beyond the arc. Biniam Tadele led the Knights with 18 points and 10 rebounds while William Sharp netted 16. Dane Johnson drilled 3-of-4 3-pointers en route to 13 points.

Indiana Wesleyan was led by sophomore Jordan Weidner with 27 points, 11 coming from the free throw line. Patrick Hopkins scored 23 points and pulled down a tournament-high 15 rebounds while Derrick Troyer scored 16 and dished out seven assists.

Warner Pacific, now 24-8 overall, advances to the second round for the second-straight year and will face fourth-seed Dordt (Iowa) on Friday at 8:30 a.m. CST.