DePauw women get OT win; men see win streak snapped

GRANVILLE, Ohio — The 17th-ranked DePauw University Tigers overcame three-point deficits in both the fourth quarter and overtime and outscored Denison, 17-4, in the second overtime for a 63-50 North Coast Athletic Conference win over the Big Red on Wednesday in women’s college basketball action.

DePauw improved to 15-1 overall and 7-0 in the NCAC with its 12th straight win, while Denison dropped to 8-8 overall and 5-2 in the conference. With the win, the Tigers took a two-game lead in the NCAC standings.

The Tigers got out to a strong start by shooting 53.8 percent in the opening quarter on the way to a 17-11 lead at the quarter break. The teams were even in the second as DePauw took a 25-19 lead into the intermission.

Denison evened the score at 32-32 after three quarters before DePauw grabbed a 38-35 lead on Maya Howard’s three-pointer with 6:23 left in regulation. With a 6-0 run, The Big Red took a 41-38 advantage with 3:01 remaining. Melinda Franke came right back with a three just 14 seconds later to even the count at 41-41. That would be the last score of regulation.

The Big Red took three-point leads on two occasions in the first overtime, but Maya Howard’s three-pointer with 12 seconds left evened the score at 46-46. After Claire Ryan’s steal, Franke’s potential game-winning jumper was off the mark.

DePauw controlled the second overtime as Taylor Howard and Sydney Kopp each scored buckets before Taylor Howard added a pair of free throws for a 52-46 lead. The Big Red were still within six at 56-50 after Alison Schafer hit a pair of free throws with 1:14 remaining, but the Tigers scored the game’s final seven for the win.

Maya Howard led five DePauw double-figure scorers with 12 points, while Franke and Emily Budde each added 11. Ryan and Taylor Howard each finished with 10. Ryan and Taylor Howard each grabbed eight rebounds, while Maya Howard and Ryan dished out four assists each. Ryan recorded five steals.

Jordan Holmes led Denison with 12 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks.

DePauw shot just 31.3 percent from the field, but held Denison to only 32.1 percent. The Tigers held a 46-40 edge on the boards.

The Tigers host Oberlin at 1 p.m. on Saturday

Men

• Oberlin 74, DePauw 61 — DePauw attempted to give No. 19 Denison its first North Coast Athletic Conference loss of the season on Wednesday but a strong second half resulted in a win for the Big Red.

The loss snaps a five-game winning streak for the Tigers, who are now 8-6 overall and 4-3 in the NCAC. Denison is 13-1 overall and still atop the NCAC at 7-0.

DePauw looked strong from the outset, jumping out to a 22-9 lead with seven minutes remaining in the first half. However, they saw that lead decimate in a hurry and by the end of the first half hung on to a two-point 29-27 lead.

DePauw came out of the half back on track, taking a 42-34 lead five minutes in. Yet, two minutes later, Denison tied it up at 44-44 and led for the remainder 12:38.

Senior Luke Lattner scored a team-high 20 points. Jack VandeMerkt scored 11 and Nate Jahn added 10.

For the Big Red, Jett Speelman scored a game-high 21 points.

Denison outrebounded the Tigers 41-28 and outscored them in second chance points 14-6. Their bench also outscored DePauw’s 27-15.

DePauw shot 39 percent (23-of-59) to Denison’s 49 percent (27-of-55). DePauw was 7-of-25 from beyond the arc (28 percent) and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Denison shot 38 percent (8-of-21) from long range and 67 percent from the charity stripe (12-of-18).

The Tigers return home Saturday to face Oberlin at 3 p.m. in the second game of a women/men doubleheader.