A 10-0 run to start the second half, with senior guard Henry Hinkle and senior post Phil Wallace each sinking a 3-pointer and junior guard Isaac Ward scoring 4 points, helped fourth-seeded Ohio Wesleyan extend a lead that they would never lose, and the Bishops went on to defeat fifth-seeded DePauw, 74-71, in a North Coast Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal on Tuesday at Branch Rickey Arena.
With the win, Ohio Wesleyan advances to the NCAC tournament semifinals to face top-seeded Denison at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in Granville.
The Tigers got on the board first with a quick jumper, but Ward got one back for the Bishops. The two teams tied 8 times during the first half as they traded the lead. Senior wing David Rice hit 3 trifectas in a row in the middle of the first half as the Bishops built a lead.
Hinkle hit a jumper and sank 5 free throws to bring the first half to an end with the Bishops ahead, 32-30.
As the second half continued, the Bishops built their lead to double digits with Hinkle hitting a pair 3-pointers along the way. DePauw battled back, closing to within 2 points, but a layup by fifth-year post Tony Carter, a 3 from junior wing Jessee Battle, and a layup from Hinkle increased the lead again.
Ward and Hinkle both sank a pair of free throws, with Hinkle adding a layup to run the clock down for the win.
Hinkle led the Bishops with 28 points. Ward finished with 14 and Wallace scored 11.
Carter grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds. Carter played in his 115th game as a Battling Bishop, breaking the school record of 114 set by Mark Slayman from 1986-90 and equaled by Seth Clark (2013-14, 2015-18) and Nate Axelrod (2014-18).
Ohio Wesleyan Advances in NCAC Tournament
DePauw
71
Ohio Wesleyan
74
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| DePauw (13-13) | 30 | 41 | 71 |
| Ohio Wesleyan (15-11) | 32 | 42 | 74 |
Feb 25, 2025