Menu
Tigers slip by Pirates, 59-51
Sports Writer
DePauw University's men's basketball team won a grueling game over the Pirates of Southwestern University, 59-51, Saturday night at the Neal Fieldhouse.
DePauw never could pull away from the Pirates throughout the game but managed to stay on top in the second half as they continue to improve on their defense. Fatigue could possibly have been a factor due to the teams recent schedule.
"When you play five games in eight day and win them all is a good accomplishment," coach Bill Fenlon said after the game.
DePauw started the second-half with a small four-point lead and maintained that to the 15:24 mark. That's when the Tigers started to give themselves some breathing room.
Mike Moore hit a three-pointer with 14:50 on the clock to give DPU the lead at 32-35. Moore provided the Tigers' next points as he drained another three-point shot and continued DePauw's march to victory.
DePauw gave itself an eight-point lead when Austin Brown hit two free throws but Southwestern continued to pester the Tigers.
The Pirates stayed within seven points from the 7:50 mark and cut the lead to five when Goran Stojcic hit a three-pointer, but the Tigers kept the Pirates at arms reach.
Tony James hit two free throws and Brown hit a tough bucket in the closing minutes to seal the deal for the Tigers.
The first half saw the Tigers go down by two points with 7:21 remaining on the clock but Brown scored four points in a span of a minute to give DePauw the lead back at 14-12.
Even as the Pirates hung tough through the first half, the Tigers showed their might. Moore hit a three-pointer as the clock ticked down and Brian Oilar hit a short jumper with 10 seconds left to give DePauw the lead heading into halftime, 21-17.
Fenlon alluded to his team's improvement on the defensive end during the season.
"We had some trouble offensively but we were good enough defensively to win," Fenlon said. "I was really happy with our guys."
DePauw will travel to face Rhodes College this Friday at 8 p.m.