Nathan Balch

The College of Wooster outscored Denison University 33-11 over a 10-minute stretch midway through the second half, which allowed the Fighting Scots to pull away for an 86-66 victory Wednesday night during a North Coast Athletic Conference tilt at Granville, Ohio.

Prior to that, Denison (3-13, 0-7 NCAC) hung tough with Wooster (11-5, 6-1 NCAC). It was a 40-35 game a little more than four minutes into the second half when the Scots finally were able to stretch the lead out. Nathan Balch (Westerville, Ohio / Olentangy) assisted on a lay-up and then drilled a 3-pointer over the next two Wooster possessions to make it a double-digit margin (45-35) for the third time.

The Big Red would get the next bucket, only to see the Scots answer with three in a row, including back-to-back Greg Ross (Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop McNicholas) field goals, which added up to a 51-37 margin.

Minutes later, Wooster would stretch its advantage out further, turning a 12-point edge (54-42) into 27 at 73-46. That was highlighted by three Matt Fegan (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) 3-pointers during a four-possession stretch, which clinched the game for the Scots.

The two teams had been even through the first eight minutes of play. Tied 11-11, Wooster would score seven unanswered points and eventually expand its first-half lead to as much as 10 (29-19 and 32-22). The Scots didn't score during the final five minutes, though, as Denison cut it to 32-28 at the break.

Statistically, Wooster held an advantage in most every category. The Scots shot 52.5 percent from the field (31-for-59), including 10-of-21 on 3-pointers (.476), and recorded 22 assists. Defensively, Wooster held its third consecutive opponent under 40 percent from the field (.390; 23-for-59) and outrebounded the Big Red 42-30.

The Scots had another balanced scoring effort with four in double figures, led by Ian Franks' (Greenwich, Ohio / South Central) 16 points. He also contributed seven rebounds and five assists, while Balch finished with 12 points and six assists, tying a season high in the latter category.

Fegan was a perfect 4-for-4 from outside the arc, matching Balch with 12 points, and Marty Bidwell (Middletown, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick) produced an 11-point, five assist night. Wooster's top rebounder was Justin Hallowell (Worthington, Ohio / Thomas Worthington), who equaled a season-high with nine.

For Denison, Mike Garabedian had a big night, registering 20 points and nine rebounds in his first career start.

The Scots will look to add to their win streak on Saturday afternoon at Earlham College (2-14, 2-5 NCAC).