Ian Franks

A 51-point second half, which included a 19-2 run at the outset, spurred The College of Wooster, ranked No. 4 in this week's D3hoops.com top-25 poll, on to a 79-62 victory at Oberlin College during North Coast Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening.

The win sets up another classic showdown between Wooster and its archrival, No. 25 ranked Wittenberg University, this Saturday night as both teams are currently 12-1 in the NCAC, each hoping to take control of the conference standings.

The Fighting Scots, who improved to 21-1 overall, trailed upstart Oberlin (2-21, 1-13 NCAC) for nearly the entire first half. Pat Bernhard sparked the Yeomen as he just about doubled his season scoring average (7.6 ppg) with 13 points in the 20 minutes, keying the hosts' 30-28 advantage at the break.

Wooster came out with a renewed focus to start the second, as Bryan Wickliffe tied the game on the initial possession, and following a Yeomen turnover, Ian Franks converted a drive for a lead it would not relinquish. Franks fueled the Scots' decisive 19-2 run, as he accounted for 10 of those points, including a tip-in that made it a 47-32 score.

Wooster would go on to extend the margin to as many as 22 (72-50) before securing the 17-point win.

The Scots' second half offensive proficiency was the difference, as they shot 59.3 percent from the field (16-for-27), including 6-of-10 3-pointers, and were a perfect 13-of-13 at the free throw line. Wooster, which finished with an even .500 field-goal percentage (26-for-52), owned a 34-24 advantage in rebounding.

Franks and Nathan Balch were the only two Scots to reach double figures, scoring 16 and 13 points, respectively, while Wickliffe led all players with nine boards. Matt Fegan distributed six assists.

Bernhard wound up with a game-high 19 points, including 4-of-5 3-point shooting.

Saturday's Wittenberg-Wooster game will be in Springfield, Ohio, with opening tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. The Scots took the rivals' first meeting of the season, 65-58 in Wooster.