Just three days after DePauw University defeated 18th-ranked Wabash College in front of a sold-out Neal Fieldhouse, DePauw blew a seven-point lead with under seven minutes to go and lost to Ohio Wesleyan University.
Ohio Wesleyan got out to a quick lead and led by as much as 12 points with seven minutes to go in the first half after a Gabe Johnson three-pointer. Coach Bill Fenlon immediately called a time out to stop the run, and the Tigers were able to cut the lead to nine after the timeout, but a late layup gave the Battling Bishops an 11-point lead into halftime.
Sophomore Nolan Ginther got the Tigers started in the second half with a couple of layups, then a sophomore Matthew Godfrey three-pointer cut Ohio Wesleyan’s lead to seven points. Later, first-year Cole Jenkins hit a three-pointer himself to give DePauw a 48-47 lead with 12:14 remaining.
Junior Matt Mahlke hit a jump shot with 6:14 to go to give DePauw a seven-point lead, their highest of the game. Then, Ohio Wesleyan began to make their final run.
Ohio Wesleyan proceeded to go on a 12-0 run to give themselves a five-point lead with two minutes to play. Ginther finally hit two free throws to end the run, but it was not enough as Ohio Wesleyan never gave the lead up again on the way to a 72-67 win.
Ginther led DePauw in scoring with 22 points and eight rebounds. Jenkins added 11 points off the bench for the Tigers. Ohio Wesleyan’s Ethan Stanislawski led the game with 23 points.
The loss dropped DePauw to 15-8 overall and 9-7 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Ohio Wesleyan improved to 12-11 overall and 7-9 in the NCAC.
The men take the court Wednesday night against Denison University in Neal Fieldhouse.