Justin Hallowell

The College of Wooster, ranked No. 1 by D3hoops.com's top-25 poll the last five weeks, overcame a season-low .386 field-goal percentage as well as a five-point deficit during the second half Saturday, eventually utilizing a couple of late 3-pointers to help seal a 72-64 triumph over Denison University in a North Coast Athletic Conference match-up at Granville, Ohio.

Wooster (16-0, 7-0 NCAC), which remains tied for first-place in the conference standings with arch-rival Wittenberg University (11-4, 6-0 NCAC), found itself down 28-27 at halftime and in a 36-31 hole against upstart Denison (5-11, 2-6 NCAC).

The key to the Fighting Scots' comeback came shortly after they were trailing by five. With the Big Red ahead 40-36, Wooster put 11 unanswered points on the scoreboard, including six from Nathan Balch, to gain a seven-point advantage (47-40) around the 11-minute mark.

Denison did not fold, though, as the hosts kept the margin under 10 entering the final two minutes. The Scots were clinging to a 61-56 lead when Justin Hallowell knocked down a 3-pointer with the shot clock running down. Wooster then got a defensive stop and Hallowell went to the foul line where he drained a couple of free throws to put the lead at double digits (66-56) for the first time since early in the game.

The Big Red had one last push, as Mike Garabedian converted a three-point play with just over a minute remaining. Matt Fegan answered for the Scots on the ensuing possession with a 3-pointer that pretty much sealed the outcome, making it 69-59.

Wooster began the game with a 14-4 run, but then endured a six-minute scoreless drought, which helped allow Denison gain the lead (17-14). The Big Red stayed ahead for all but two possessions of the last seven minutes of the first half and the opening eight minutes of the second.

The Scots' shooting woes occurred primarily during the first half, converting just 8-of-30 (.267). Wooster bounced back with a 14-for-27 effort in the second, including 7-of-14 on 3-pointers, and it also held a significant rebounding advantage throughout, winding up with a plus-14 margin (47-33).

Hallowell was the game's leading scorer with 20 points, keyed by 5-of-11 shooting from the arc, while another key was Bryan Wickliffe and his 15 rebounds, which marked a season high and tied a career high.

Balch contributed 15 markers in the scorebook, and Ian Franks, who was limited due to three first-half fouls, added 14 points and a game-high five assists.

Dimonde Hale led Denison's upset bid with 18 points.

Next, the Scots host Allegheny College (5-11, 2-6 NCAC) Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.