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DePauw women win NCAC Tournament championship
After a few tense moments late in the second half, the DePauw University women's basketball team was able to hold off a charging Kenyon squad to capture its second-straight NCAC championship 63-49 Saturday and keep its perfect record intact at 28-0.
"I'm really proud of this team and how they handled the weekend, especially with their good friend and teammate down. We had a man down and they really stepped up," DePauw head coach Kris Huffman said.
Starting forward Alex Gasaway, the team's leading scorer, missed the last two games with a knee injury.
The Tigers dominated the first half, controlling both ends of the court with ease. As impressive as its offense was, DePauw's defense was the real stand-out in the first half.
The DPU defense held Kenyon to just 27 percent from the floor, which included an 0-of-7 performance from behind the arc.
In contrast, DePauw offense shot 45 percent from the field and took a 34-16 lead into the half. Junior Ali Ross had the hot hand in the first half, going 6-for-6 shooting for 14 points.
Things looked good early in the second half for the Tigers as they built their lead to as much as 20 points when Kathleen Malloy hit two free throws with 13:41 remaining, but that's when Kenyon began to mount its charge.
Kenyon's Meredith Williams hit a three-pointer to get the offense going and the Ladies continued to chip away at the lead.
DePauw's 20-point lead was reduced to nine with 3:30 left when Ellie Pearson fouled Kayla Ernst, who was able to hit the basket and the ensuing free throw. However, over the final 3:30 DePauw outscored Kenyon 9-4 run to close out the game and hoist the NCAC championship trophy.
Huffman acknowledged her team found itself in a tough position late in the contest and praised Kenyon for a great effort.
"Our backs were up against the wall," Huffman said. "They cut it to 10 and we were struggling on the offensive end and couldn't get any stops. So I think it was Alison Stephens that maybe came back in the game and gave us a little spark and grabbed a couple key rebounds. Then we had that little bit of a run going ourselves.
"Kenyon's a great offensive team. I think they have two All-Americans on there, so they're a tough team to defend for us and they are a great defensive team. We're really happy with the win today."
Ross led the Tigers with 16 points, with senior Kate Walker adding 13 points. Pearson just missed a double-double, recording 15 rebounds and nine points.
The Tigers are showing that they are the true definition of a team, as Gasaway was the first player to climb the ladder and cut down a portion of the net following Satur-day's victory.
"They're all hurting for her. She's worked so hard and she's so talented and she's grown so much in her leadership role this year. It breaks our heart she's not with us right now," Huffman said.
Walker was named the tournament's Nan Nichols Award as the tournament's MVP. Ross was named to the All-Tournament squad as well.
At DePauw
Kenyon 16 33 -- 49
DePauw 34 29 -- 63
Individual Scoring
Kenyon (20-8): Ernst 15, Boelter 11, Hirt 10, Williams 7, Adlam 6. Totals: 19-54 FG 7-7 FT 49.
DePauw (28-0): Ross 16, Walker 13, Pearson 9, Malloy 8, Stephens 7, Trees 4, McGinnis 4, Ondik 2. Totals: 23-57 FG, 13-18 FT, 63.