DePauw men top Wabash

CRAWFORDSVILLE — DePauw defeated Wabash on Wednesday 62-61 to split the season series and take a late season conference win in men’s basketball action.

Senior Jack VandeMerkt recorded his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman Nick Felke recorded a career-high 14 points. Freshmen Nolan Ginther and Josh Hall each recorded 10 — Ginther’s all coming in the first half.

Offensively, DePauw pushed Wabash around down low and outscored them in the paint 34-26. However, the Tigers were outrebounded 35-33.

DePauw’s defense got the job done late as the offense connected on just one field goal in the final five minutes and only managed four points in the final nine minutes. Hall denied a fast break midway through the second half with a block on Logan White.

Later, VandeMerkt hit a turnaround fadeaway on the block with 1:09 remaining to give the Tigers a 62-54 lead.

Wabash then scored the game’s final seven points.

The Tigers led 37-33 at halftime. They endured two consecutive long 3-pointers from Davidson and ended the half on a 11-1 run.

Wabash defeated DePauw at Neal Fieldhouse in January 77-75. The Tigers lead the overall series 123-89-1.

DePauw returns home on Saturday for its regular season finale when they face Oberlin. No matter the outcome, the Tigers have already clenched a spot in the upcoming NCAC Tournament.