DPU clinches share of fourth straight NCAC title

HIRAM, Ohio - Emma Ondik scored 25 and hit six three-pointers as DePauw clinched a share of its fourth North Coast Athletic Conference title in four years with an 85-53 win at Hiram.

The Tigers improved to 20-1 overall and 13-0 in the NCAC with its 17th straight win, while the Terriers are now 6-16 overall and 2-11 in the conference.

DePauw, ranked ninth in the latest coaches' poll and 10th by D3hoops.com, has now won at least 20 games for 14 straight seasons.

Hiram held an early 7-4 lead before DePauw rattled off seven straight points to take the lead for good. The Tigers held just a 19-17 advantage with 12 minutes left, but Savannah Trees and Ondik knocked in threes to push the margin to eight.

A 19-3 run by the Tigers late in the half extended their lead to 23 on the way to a 49-26 halftime lead.

Hiram was within 22 midway through the second half, but the Tigers scored eight straight to push the lead to 30. DePauw's lead reached as many as 36 points in the final half.

Ondik's 25 was just one shy of her career-high of 26 and she hit 6-of-11 three-pointers. Ondik also led the Tigers with four steals. Hannah Douglas followed with 15 points and Trees added 14. Trees and Douglas each had four assists in the win, while Abby Keller grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Brianne Goodrich paced Hiram with 13 points with Mercedes Jones adding 12 and Kayla Yost 10. Yost hauled down seven rebounds and Taylor Ratliff dished out four assists. Goodrich led the way with three steals.

The Tigers shot 48.5 percent from the floor including 50 percent in the first half, while the Terriers connected on 40 percent from the floor. DePauw knocked in eight three-pointers.

DePauw held a 43-36 edge on the boards and committed just 12 turnovers to the Terriers' 21. The Tigers took advantage of those turnovers for a 35-6 margin in points off turnovers.

DePauw returns home to face Wittenberg in a 6 p.m. contest on Wednesday, February 11.