Senior center Tommy Fernitz (right) practices
free throws during a pre-season practice.
Fernitz received first team all NCAC honors last season.
SAM CARAVANA / THE DEPAUW
The Tigers picked up right where they left off last season in Tuesday nights opening game. After going 5-2 in their final seven games and feeling like they got snubbed out of the NCAA tournament, they took out their frustration with a blowout win to kick off the 2014-2015 season.
“It was huge for us,” senior forward Tommy Fernitz said. “With guys stepping into their new roles we really needed to set the tone and I think we did that against Franklin by coming out strong both offensively and defensively.”
Not much could have gone better for DePauw men’s basketball team (1-0, 0-0) as they began their 2014-2015 campaign with a 79-60 win on the road against Franklin College (0-2, 0-0).
An early 21-4 run by the Tigers gave DePauw the cushion they would need, as they coasted to a 13 point lead at the halftime recess.
Not much would change in the second half, as the Tigers’ lead ballooned to 22 points at its highest point.
Fernitz led the way for the Tigers, scoring 15 points and securing eight rebounds in the victory. Fernitz’s classmate, Bob Dillon came alive in the final 20 minutes, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the second half to finish second on the team in scoring.
Along with Fernitz and Dillon, junior Bradley Fey was the only other Tiger to score in double figures, dropping 10 points in 13 minutes off the bench.
“I played pretty well,” Fey said. “Hitting a couple of shots always helps.”
Solid bench play was key for the Tigers on Tuesday. On a night when three of their starters scored less than seven points, eight players contributed with points off the bench. The DePauw bench outscored their Franklin counterparts 34-10.
“It was crucial and just as important as the play of the starters,” Dillon said. “When you can get energy and a boost from players that come into the game off the bench, it makes winning a lot easier. Also, people outside of the the team tend not to see the small details that our reserves help with such as calling out the plays that the other team is running.”
Despite being outworked on the glass, the Tigers held the Grizzlies to just over 30 percent shooting from the field and caused 20 turnovers.
Bench play will be key for the Tigers going forward as their depth will allow head coach Bill Fenlon to give some of his starters added rest.
“I try to stay ready to go,” Fey said about his mentality coming off the bench. “You never know when you’re going to play or for you long so you try and stay ready and once you’re in, you have to play with confidence and trust your preparation.”
Next up for the Tigers is a visit to Otterbein University for the Smokey Ballenger Tournament. On Friday, DePauw will take on Anderson College at 6 p.m. before turning around and facing the hosts on Saturday.
“We had great energy on Tuesday and hope to keep that going headed into the tournament this weekend,” Dillon said.
After that, the Tigers will return home to Neal Fieldhouse for their first home game of the season on Nov. 25 against Rose Hulman Institute of Technology.