During the national anthem, seniors Kate Walker, Ellie Pearson and Kathleen Molloy couldn't stop smiling.
Standing just feet apart after being recognized for their four-year careers before their final regular season home game, they walked off the court wearing similar grins.
The DePauw women's basketball Saturday afternoon dispatched the College of Wooster at Neal Fieldhouse handedly, winning 76-41. The seniors combined for 25 points and capped the program's first-ever undefeated regular season.
"As awesome as it was I was trying not to get distracted," Pearson said about being honored before the game. "It's easy to see the signs, the fans and the balloons, but I'm still trying to focus on one game at a time. I get pre-game nerves for every game, but it was still pretty bittersweet."
The Tigers (25-0, 16-0 in the NCAC) quickly gained control of the game in the opening minutes as two three pointers propelled DePauw to a 10-4 lead. Over the span of the final 13 and a half minutes, the Tigers went on a 30-7 run to put the game well out of reach for the Fighting Scots (9-16, 4-12 NCAC). DePauw was led by three players each scoring six points during the stretch: Ali Ross, Savannah Trees and Pearson.
The Tigers also tallied eight of their ten steals of the half during that stretch for 18 total points off turnovers, and a 43-14 lead.
Despite the advantage, head coach Kris Huffman during the half implored her defense to shut down Wooster, and her players responded by holding the visitors to a 23.5 percent shooting percentge from the field.
"I thought Ali Ross was a big spark on defense and she made a difference," Huffman said. "It hurt them having their leading scorer on the bench with foul trouble."
Ross finished the game with three steals as DePauw as a whole tallied 15 takeaways. The junior also posted a game-high 15 points.
Huffman reached deep into her bench for the second half, and still, the Tigers added to their lead. The Wooster deficit ballooned to 38 points.
"I think we had a decent offensive flow today especially coming off a tough game Wednesday night," Huffman said. "Our shots didn't really fall from the 3 point line in the second half, and I though we needed to have a little bit more patience in each possession."
DePauw shot 43.3 percent from the field compared to 32.6 percent from the Fighting Scots. The Tigers also outrebounded Wooster, 45-23.
For the first time in the 37-year history of the DePauw women's basketball program, the Tigers completed an undefeated season, and has yet to lose a game in the NCAC for two straight seasons.
"We didn't set out to be undefeated, but it is pretty special and we haven't talked much about it as a team," Huffman said. "I did tell them today about how proud I am of them and how special this is."
Added Pearson, "Coach was in the locker room with us and saying we were 25-0. It sounds nice off the tongue."
The Tigers host the first round of the NCAC tournament Tuesday.