Top-Seeded Scots Move Into NCAC Semis With 18-Point Win

Robert Melick drives in for a lay-up with an assist from Marty Bidwell late in the second half against Earlham.

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster began its postseason by shooting nearly 60 percent from the field (.597), as the top-seeded Fighting Scots led from wire-to-wire and posted a 94-76 victory over the No. 8 seed, Earlham College, in North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal action Tuesday at Timken Gymnasium.

Wooster (23-3) will now serve as host for the NCAC Tournament semifinals and finals this Friday and Saturday, welcoming in second-seeded Wittenberg University (22-4), third-seeded Ohio Wesleyan University (17-9), and the No. 5 seed, Wabash College (11-15).

Against Earlham (8-18), the Scots made five of their first seven field goals, staking out to a 12-3 lead just over three minutes in. After a timeout, the Quakers settled down and stayed with Wooster for most of the remainder of the opening half, closing within three on three occasions (30-27, 32-29, 35-32).

The turning point may have been when, with the Scots leading 36-32, an intentional foul was called, which sent James Cooper (Springfield, Ohio / Springfield South) to the line. He made both free throws and then Tom Port (Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake) got a lay-up off the ensuing in-bounds pass. After an Earlham turnover, Brandon Johnson (Columbus, Ohio / Groveport Madison) added a jumper and suddenly it was a double-digit lead for Wooster (42-32).

The Scots would hold a 50-38 advantage at the half and then started the second with a 12-4 run, giving themselves a 20-point cushion (62-42). From that point on, the margin never dipped below 15.

Wooster received a big night from Port, who put up his second-highest point total of the season with 27 on 11-of-17 field goals, including a first-half dunk and two 3-pointers, as well as 3-of-3 free throws. He also contributed four rebounds and three assists, while Cooper was right behind with 21 points, highlighted by  4-of-9 3-pointers.

Playing in his first game since suffering a fractured wrist exactly a month ago (Jan. 20), Tim Vandervaart (North Canton, Ohio / Hoover) was effective, adding 10 points and team-highs of eight rebounds and three blocked shots to the winning effort.

Also noteworthy, Johnson and Marty Bidwell (Middletown, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick) each matched career-highs in assists with seven apiece.

Markous Jewett was one of five Quakers to reach double figures, tallying 19 points to cap his career with 1,548 points.

The Scots were highly efficient on offense, making 37-of-62 attempts from the floor, including 9-of-22 3-pointers (.409), and 11-of-14 free throws (.786). Wooster had 26 assists on those 37 field goals and held a slight advantage on the glass (33-27).

Earlham shot the ball well, too, finishing at just under 50 percent from the field (29-of-59).

Friday’s action at Timken Gymnasium will begin with Ohio Wesleyan versus Wittenberg at 5:30 p.m., followed by Wabash, which upended Allegheny College 87-84 Tuesday night, and Wooster at approximately 7:45 p.m.