DePauw men extend winning streak to four

In a Sunday game that included 12 ties and seven lead changes, DePauw nailed 13-of-15 free throws over the final 1:52 and limited visiting Hiram to just five points during that time as the Tigers claimed a 66-58 North Coast Athletic Conference win over the Terriers.

DePauw improved to 9-3 overall and 2-3 in the NCAC with its fourth straight win, while Hiram dropped to 7-5 overall and 1-4 in the NCAC.

Hiram got out to a quick start and pressured DePauw into four turnovers in the first four minutes while gaining a 10-4 advantage.

The Tigers just as quickly turned that around as Connor Rich hit a three to start a 9-0 DePauw run.

The Terriers regained the lead late in the half and took a 25-23 advantage to the break.

The Terriers briefly stretched the margin to five in the opening minute of the second half, but Rich hit a three and Bob Dillon scored on a layup to knot the score. DePauw also held a brief five-point lead after Luke Lattner hit a couple of buckets to make it 44-39 with 11:25 left.

Hiram's J.J. Woodson hit the second of two free throws to even the score at 53-53 with 1:56 remaining before Lattner nailed a pair of charity tosses just four seconds later.

Rich recorded a steal on the Terriers' next possession and was fouled. His two free throws pushed the DePauw lead to 57-53 with 1:42 left.

Austen Rekolt made the second of two free throws at the 1:36 mark to cut the Tigers' lead to 57-54.

On DePauw's ensuing possession Lattner was fouled while attempting a three-pointer with the shot nearing expiration.

Lattner connected on two of the three tosses before Hiram missed a three-point attempt.

Two more Lattner free throws gave DePauw a 61-54 lead with only 53 seconds left.

Rich then hit one free throw and Lattner poured in four more to wrap up the victory.

Lattner led the Tigers in scoring for the second straight day as he finished with 20. Rich added 14 and Tommy Fernitz posted a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds along with three blocked shots. Dillon finished with three assists and Rich had three steals.

Woodson paced Hiram with 25 points and four steals with Jeremiah Thomas following with 10 points. Kelvin Jones grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

The Tigers shot 46.5 percent from the floor including 52.6 percent in the second half, while Hiram connected on just 37.3 percent from the floor. DePauw hit 22-of-26 free throws for the game with Lattner good on 12-of-13.

DePauw returns to NCAC play on Saturday, January 10, when it hosts Kenyon in a 3 p.m. contest.