Wooster Uses Last-Minute Rally to Overcome DePauw, 63-62

WOOSTER, Ohio – Ari Stern and Evan Pannell of No. 10 ranked College of Wooster each hit 3-pointers during the final 37.7 seconds, Pannell's coming with 18.9 on the clock, to overcome a four-point deficit the last minute and prevail 63-62 over DePauw University in North Coast Athletic Conference action Saturday at Timken Gymnasium.

Wooster (15-2, 9-1 NCAC) trailed the majority of the second half, including by as much as 11 points around the 13-minute mark, then put together a 15-1 run to retake the lead, and the teams went back-and-forth over the final six minutes.

Jalen Goodwin gave the Fighting Scots their biggest lead of the second half, 54-49, when he drained a corner 3-pointer, however, the hosts committed a turnover – their first of the half – next trip down, and DePauw (11-6, 4-6 NCAC), which was ranked as high as No. 18 earlier this season, accounted for the next five points to tie it.

As the clock ticked under three minutes, Xavier Brown found Stern for a 3-pointer on the left side, giving Wooster a 57-54 advantage.

Next, it was the Tigers' turn as they converted on their next three possessions – a Bob Dillon lay-up, Frank Patton III 3-pointer, and Luke Lattner drive to the basket – while keeping the Scots off the scoreboard, which resulted in a 61-57 lead for the visitors with 50.1 seconds to play.

Stern, in the right corner, came through in the clutch, burying a 3-pointer, again assisted by Brown, to bring Wooster within one at the 37.7 mark.

After a timeout, the Scots fouled before DePauw even inbounded the ball, and Patton III hit just the first of the two free throws to make it 62-60.

Alex LaLonde rebounded the miss, and on the other end, Pannell came around a pick and rose up, knocking down the eventual game-winning 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Next, the Tigers advanced the ball into the frontcourt and took a timeout with 12.1 seconds remaining. They ended up with two attempts at the win, both by Lattner. He drove in from the left side, only to be blocked by LaLonde with about five ticks left, then collected the offensive rebound and followed with a hurried attempt that was well off target as Wooster secured its 12th win in a row.

During the first half, the Scots had several good looks on the offensive end that rimmed out and four of their five starters picked up two fouls apiece, which helped result in a 31-21 halftime deficit. Noteworthy, Wooster only scored two points the last eight minutes of the half.

The Scots opened the second with five consecutive points, then DePauw built its lead back up to 43-32, which was followed by the critical 15-1 run. Pannell had eight of those points and Fanelly four, plus two blocked shots.

The statistical difference in the game was free throw shooting. Wooster made 11 of its last 12 to finish at 80.0 percent (16-for-20), while the Tigers struggled to the tune of 43.8 percent (7-for-16). Also, by making their last four 3-point attempts, the Scots bumped their percentage in that category to .429 (9-for-21), compared to DePauw's .294 (5-for-17).

Brown tossed in a team-high 16 points, while Fanelly and Pannell each produced 11 in the victory. LaLonde contributed in a big way with four blocked shots, and Fanellly came down with a squad-leading seven rebounds.

The Tigers' preseason All-American center, Tommy Fernitz, was impressive with 22 points on 10-of-12 fielg goals, 11 rebounds, and four steals, and Dillon pumped in 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

Wooster heads to No. 23 ranked Ohio Wesleyan University (13-4, 8-2 NCAC) Wednesday night in a battle for first-place in the NCAC. The Scots currently own a one-game lead, however, the Battling Bishops won the teams' first match-up this season and would thus hold a tiebreaker advantage if they earn a sweep.