DPU men upset No. 9 Wooster in final postsesason tune-up

Most any coach will tell you a hot start is crucial when going against a top-notch program. DePauw rode the emotions of Senior Day Saturday to take down No. 9 Wooster in dominating fashion 68-52.

Senior Barry Flynn opened the game by knocking down a two-point bucket and continued to find his shot through the first half. Flynn scored 15 first-half points to power a consistent DPU offensive effort, which saw the Tigers build its lead to as many as 16 points with 3:40 left in the half.

If fans worried about a letdown in the second half, their fears were unwarranted.

In nice contrast to the start of the first half, freshman Adam Botts swiped the ball and scored DePauw's first points of the second half. Flynn scored the team's next four points followed by fellow senior Kevin Sullivan's three-pointer to open up an 18-point lead at 51-34.

Both teams hit a dry spell midway through the period, with DPU's Tommy Fernitz breaking the lull with a basket giving DePauw a 19-point lead.

Over the course of the next four and a half minutes DePauw built to its largest lead with points coming from Connor Rich, Fernitz, Camron Burns and capped by two free throws from Frank Patton. Patton's second toss from the charity stripe gave DePauw a 26-point lead at 63-37 and the Tigers cruised from there.

Flynn led the Tigers with 21 points, followed by Botts with nine and Rich and Sullivan adding eight each.

DePauw head coach Bill Fenlon said his team knew the recipe to get a win over the Fighting Scots.

"The key to having a chance against Wooster is to at least play even on the boards and win the turnover battle," Fenlon said. "We were able to do that today. Especially in the second half we did a great job on the boards."

Fenlon received big time performances from his two seniors on the court in Saturday's win and said their efforts had an impact on the rest of the team.

"Kevin and Barry play as hard as any two guys we have had here," Fenlon said. "I think that rubs off on their teammates. They have given us great effort every day and that is the first thing we ask of our guys. We'll miss them."

DePauw will open the NCAC tournament today when they host Wittenberg, a foe which it has defeated twice this season including a dramatic 68-66 win overtime win in its first meeting. This will be the third meeting between the squads in less than a month. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. tipoff.

The Tigers have played strong against each of their conference opponents this season and Fenlon believes that trend will continue in the tournament.

"There is plenty of evidence that we can play with everyone in the league. Hopefully we can ride a little momentum into the tourney and make some noise. I like our chances," he said.

At DePauw
Wooster....30 22 -- 52
DePauw.....42 26 -- 68