OWU's Triples Down No. 17 Wooster, 73-58

DELAWARE, Ohio – Three-point shooting was a decisive factor in Ohio Wesleyan University's 73-58 win over the 17th-ranked College of Wooster men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon at Branch Rickey Arena.

Ohio Wesleyan (9-7, 4-3 North Coast Athletic Conference) outscored Wooster 45-21 beyond the arc, as the Battling Bishops hit 15-of-38 3-pointers, led by a 6-of-15 day from Henry Hinkle. Wooster senior Jamir Billings and junior Jaiden Cox-Holloway accounted for six of the Fighting Scots' seven triples.

Isaac Ward's 3-pointer with 4:17 remaining staked Ohio Wesleyan to a 68-54 lead. Phil Wallace extended it to 71-54 on the next possession, while a Tony Carter block was sandwiched in between the decisive triples.

Wooster overcame Ohio Wesleyan's 5-of-5 start from the floor, tying the game at 21 with 5:18 on the first-half clock. Wooster worked the ball quickly through Ohio Wesleyan's zone, with Billings finding junior Isaac Roeder open for a 3-pointer that tied the NCAC battle at 21. A possession prior, Cox-Holloway collected in inbounds pass, turned, and finished the floater with his right hand to pull Wooster within three. A team offensive rebound kept Wooster's possession following the Roeder 3-pointer going. Senior JJ Cline was fouled and split a pair of free throws to give Wooster its first lead since 3-2. Hinkle made that short lived with a go-ahead 3-pointer.

The Scots pulled within 57-50 with a 7-0 run in the second half. Junior EJ Kapihe sealed his Battling Bishop off on the low block to finish an entry pass from Billings with 8:42 remaining. Prior to getting within seven, junior Isaiah Johnson drained a midrange floater and Billings knocked down his third triple of the afternoon.

Cox-Holloway led Wooster with 16 points, and the junior was one of four Scots with at least five rebounds. Billings was next in the scoring column with nine points, and he led all players with nine rebounds and six assists.

Wooster shot just 36.1 percent (22-of-61) for the game and kept Ohio Wesleyan from getting to the line often, committing eight fouls.

Hinkle's 22 points led all players. Jessee Battle followed with 16. The duo scored Ohio Wesleyan's first 29 points of the contest.

The Battling Bishops shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62) for the game and committed just six turnovers.

Next, Wooster hosts No. 19 Denison University (15-1, 7-0 NCAC) on Wednesday, January 22. Wooster will recognize some of its record 290 qualifiers for the Athletic Director's Honor Roll at halftime of the game.