Another last-minute comeback wasn't in the cards for The College of Wooster men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon, as 13th-ranked DePauw University capitalized on free throws and second-chance opportunities down the stretch to top the Fighting Scots 100-97 at Timken Gymnasium. The game marked Doug Cline's official debut as the Fighting Scots' head coach, as last weekend's contests against Wittenberg University were classified as exhibition games.

Sophomore Tayler McNeal, one of the heroes in Wooster's (0-1) 81-78 victory over Wittenberg last Saturday, nearly helped the Scots pull of the comeback again. With 1:12 remaining, McNeal's driving layup pulled Wooster within 96-93. Then, DePauw's (6-0) Aaron Shank slipped past his man and appeared to be on the verge of an uncontested layup, only to have McNeal slide in just in time to block the attempt out of bounds. Next, McNeal, again playing outstanding help defense, took a charge – his fourth of the game – which wiped out a Nolan Ginther bucket, and resulted in the Tigers' star post fouling out of the contest with 43 ticks left.

At the other end, McNeal's lay-in cut DePauw's lead to 96-95 with 22.2 seconds remaining, and the Scots had a good look at a game-tying three-pointer that hit off the rim with about 10 seconds left. Nolan Niego and Nick Felke each hit a pair of free throws for DePauw in the final 20 seconds.

Senior Keonn Scott factored in heavily to Wooster shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor in the first half.

An energetic, up-tempo lineup had Wooster firing on all cylinders in the first half, during which Wooster went 20-of-34 from the floor and 8-of-15 from beyond the arc. Senior Keonn Scott was on the mark early with a trio of triples in the first 9:21, while McNeal connected from range on a fast-break chance at the 15:11 mark. Eight Scots found the scoring column in the first half, including junior JG Gillard, whose layup bumped Wooster's lead to 26-13 with 11:59 remaining.

DePauw's 10 second-chance points enabled the Tigers to hang around in the first half. Three of those came on Niego's trifecta, which pulled the guests within 42-41 with 2:46 to go. Junior Najee Hardaway took charge in the final two minutes, first with a three-pointer, and then with three points the old-fashion way, as Wooster went into halftime up 51-41.

The Tigers' second-chance points emerged as the focal point in the second half, during which DePauw had 16. Elijah Hales was among those who cashed in, as his second-chance three-pointer pulled DePauw ahead 83-82 with 6:05 remaining. Hales again connected from range on a second-chance opportunity with 2:29 to go, and that triple put DePauw ahead for good.

McNeal's efficient afternoon resulted in a game-high 29 points. He went 12-of-17 from the floor, which included a 5-of-7 showing from three-point range. Scott backed that up with 26 points on 8-of-14 shooting. The Scots' senior was 6-of-10 from range. Junior Brandon Styers was the high man in rebounding for Wooster with seven. Freshman Aaron Whitehead dished out four assists.

Wooster shot 56.7 percent (38-of-67) for the game, was 14-of-28 from three-point range, and had 10 turnovers, which included just two in the first half.

Hales' 26 led the way for the Tigers in the scoring column, while Josh Hall chipped in with 21. Ginther's nine rebounds earned top billing for the game.

DePauw shot 50.7 percent (36-of-71), and did its damage on the boards, where the Tigers had a 41-28 advantage.

Of note, the outcome of all three of Wooster's contests (including the two exhibition games last weekend) this year has been three points.

Wooster and DePauw are set to meet again at Timken Gymnasium on Sunday, February 14 with tipoff set for 1 p.m.