The men’s basketball team suffered another tough loss Wednesday night after being defeated by Wittenberg 85-53.
DePauw came out with a promising start following the opening whistle. Sophomore forward Cris Burrough scored the first points of the match with a deep three. However, the Tigers’ lead was short lived.
Wittenberg was quick to react, immediately seizing the game and taking over by going on a 15-0 run. Following Burrough’s three-pointer, DePauw entered a scoring drought that would last the next five minutes of play.
“We didn’t come ready to play and they handed it to us,” said sophomore guard David Vogel.
The discouraged group of Tigers headed into the locker room at the half with a score of 41-20. As play resumed in the second half, the lead only got larger.
With about eight minutes remaining in the game, Wittenberg was leading by as much as 40 points. However, the Tigers were able to pull it together and finish strong. Seniors Bradley Fey and Adam Botts each put up some nice three-pointers that were able to boost the team’s morale.
The team was able to end the game with a 16-8 advantage to Wittenberg.
“It’s a tough loss,” said first-year forward John Starkey. “It’s disappointing to be defeated like that this late in the season. We know we are better than we played and just have to prove it.”
Vogel was able to come off the bench and lead the Tigers with his 11 points, shooting 75 percent from the floor. Burrough was able to contribute eight points, while Fey and junior Nate Jahn added an additional seven points each. This game marks the first time this season that an opponent was able to hold DePauw’s season leading scorer, Luke Lattner, scoreless.
With this conference loss, DePauw now drops to 7-15 and 3-12 in the North Coast Atlantic Conference. The accumulation of losses late in the season has kept the Tigers from having any chance at a post-season run.
“It’s been tough. We are a very close group and everyone would love for us to be doing better,” said sophomore forward Forrest Nettles.
Starkey echoed similar sentiments, adding that their love for the game has been driving the team as the season comes to a close.
The Tigers will host Keyon Saturday at Neal Fieldhouse, tipping off at 1pm. This game will also serve as the Tigers’ celebratory Senior Day. After a close match up with the Lords earlier in the season, DePauw hopes to redeem themselves with a win at home.
“We just have to stick together and work hard. That’s all we can do,” said Vogel.