Mike Evans

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster, ranked No. 21 in this week's D3hoops.com top-25, put up seasons highs in both overall field goal percentage (.552; 32-for-58) and 3-point percentage (.600; 15-for-25), and led by double digits throughout the second half of a 94-78 victory against Ohio Wesleyan University during North Coast Athletic Conference action Wednesday night at Timken Gymnasium.

Wooster (19-5, 14-1 NCAC) was hot offensively right from the opening tip. Ohio Wesleyan (11-13, 8-7 NCAC), although it never took the lead, nearly matched the Fighting Scots shot-for-shot in the opening half. That is until, with just under 7:00 remaining and the score at 33-28, Wooster went on an 11-1 tear, highlighted by Mike Evans' fourth and fifth 3-pointers of the game, to gain a 15-point cushion (44-29).

The Scots were ahead 57-41 at the halftime break, behind 11-of-15 shooting from 3-point range (.733). Evans, who entered the night with 25 total points on the season, was the catalyst, swishing all five of his attempts from outside.

During the second half, Wooster maintained a relatively comfortable lead. The Battling Bishops did pull within 12 at one juncture (74-62) and had possession to get even closer, but a turnover led to a Matt Fegan lay-up, followed shortly thereafter by a Brandon Johnson 3-pointer, and the advantage was suddenly 17 (79-62).

The Scots capped the 16-point win on a pair of free throws by Gideon Mabeny.

In addition to Wooster's season-best shooting performance, it held Ohio Wesleyan under 50 percent from the floor (.475; 29-for-61) while also winning the rebounding battle by the slimmest of margins (31-30). The Bishops did knock down 9-of-16 3-pointers (.563).

Individually, five Scots reached double figures with Ian Franks leading the way at 19 points, thanks in part to 7-of-7 free throws. He also passed out a team-high six assists, all in the first half.

Evans finished with the 15 points after missing all but a few seconds of the second half due to injury, while Nathan Balch and Johnson each contributed 14. For Johnson, it marked a season high and he moved into the top-20 on Wooster's all-time scoring list (1,102 points).

Also noteworthy, Bryan Wickliffe tallied 12 points and Josh Claytor wrapped up a team-leading seven rebounds in the victory.

Tim Brady was the story for Ohio Wesleyan, as he dropped in 27 points, but the Scots did hold him to just six during the second half. Andy Winters produced an eight-assist night in the setback.

Wooster, which already clinched the NCAC championship last week, will wrap up the regular season with a visit to Earlham College (3-21, 1-14 NCAC) Saturday. Opening tip is slated for 1 p.m.