DePauw men outlast Earlham behind Lattner

RICHMOND --Luke Lattner scored 27 second-half points, while Jack VandeMerkt posted a double-double with career highs of 24 points and 21 rebounds as DePauw topped Earlham 80-74 Tuesday night.

The Tigers moved to 2-2 on the season, while the Quakers dropped to 0-1.

Despite 14 first-half turnovers, DePauw held a 32-28 advantage at the intermission as VandeMerkt had 16 points and 13 boards in the opening 20 minutes.

The teams were tied 58-58 before DePauw scored the next nine.

Lattner started the run with a three-point play and a three-point field goal before David Vogel finished it with a three-pointer to give the Tigers a 67-58 advantage with 4:48 left.

DePauw extended the lead to as many as 12 and still led 78-67 after a pair of Clint Cunningham free throws with 43 seconds left.

Earlham then scored five straight, but Lattner's two free throws with five seconds remaining sealed the win.

Lattner's 27 points in the second half broke the school record for points in a half of 26 held by Tom McCormick against Ball State (on Jan. 29, 1969) and Brett "Moose" Hecko against Manchester (Feb. 22, 1992). VandeMerkt's 21 rebounds were the most by a DePauw player since David Galle grabbed 21 against Manchester (Nov. 22, 1985). Vogel added 14 points in the win.

Taylen Alexander led Earlham with 20 points, while Darrell Hutchison added 18.

The Tigers held a 42-31 edge on the boards.

The Tigers travel to Rose-Hulman on Sunday, Nov. 29, for a 3 p.m. contest.