West Indy News

DePauw Falls at NCAC Co-Leader Wooster

Visiting DePauw cut a 24-point deficit to six, but North Coast Athletic Conference co-leader Wooster held on for an 80-73 victory over the Tigers. DePauw dropped to 13-5 overall and 5-4 in the NCAC, while the Fighting Scots improved to 14-3 overall and 8-1 in the conference.

In a first half that included three ties and two lead changes, Wooster took a 33-26 lead to the intermission.  The hosts gradually stretched the lead in the opening minutes of the second half and then used a 12-0 run to take their largest lead of the contest at 63-39 with 10:30 remaining.

DePauw held Wooster scoreless over a 5:36 stretch of the half and scored 13-straight including going 9-of-10 from the line to trim the deficit to 63-52 with 5:54 left.

Wooster pushed the gap to 15 before Camden Brown scored and Sam Jacobs followed with a three and a jumper to cut the lead to 73-65 with 2:33 remaining. The defense recorded a stop and Brown hit the second of two free throws to make it a seven-point game at the 1:28 mark. 

The Fighting Scots then made two free throws before DePauw was whistled for an offensive foul and Wooster hit two more charity tosses to move the margin back to double figures. The Tigers got as close as six after Jacobs scored with 25 seconds remaining, but Wooster hit a free throw and the Tigers missed on their next possession.

Elijah Hales led DePauw with 18 points followed by Sam Jacobs with a career-high 13, Brown 11 and both Billy Bach and Grant Niego with 10 each. Bach equaled a career-best in scoring and led the Tigers with a career-high seven rebounds.

Elijah Meredith paced Wooster with 21 with Najee Hardaway adding 16 and Jamir Billings 10. Turner Kurt grabbed six rebounds with Billings and Carter Warstler each dishing out five assists. Billings also recorded four steals. 

DePauw shot 45.0 percent from the field to Wooster's 49.1 percent. The Tigers were 6-of-19 from beyond the arc and Wooster hit 12-of-29.

Original source can be found here