The Little Giants led by seven at halftime after trailing by as many as six points early in the game. Joe DesJean (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian) scored 10 first-half points to give Wabash the 38-31 lead at the break.
The Battling Bishops lived up to their name in the second half, tying the score at 40-40 with 14 minutes remaining. Ohio Wesleyan freshman center exploded in the second half, hitting eight baskets inside to keep the Bishops close.
Wabash had the answer from the field and from the free throw line. DesJean and Pleas Ferguson (Indianapolis, IN/Arsenal Tech) punched the ball in the lane to keep Wabash in front, and the Little Giants hit 12 straight free throws down the stretch to hold their lead, taking a 71-69 advantage with 34 seconds remaining in the game.
"This is a huge win," said coach Mac Petty. "To hold on by hitting free throws down the stretch just adds to the confidence we need going into the weekend against Wooster. Coming off of the two-point win at Allegheny, we're right where we need to be in the conference."
DesJean finished the free throw shooting for Wabash with six seconds left to put the Little Giants in front 73-69, only to see Schwab fire a three that connected. But the clock ran to zero before Ohio Wesleyan could get a final timeout and try to steal the inbound pass give Wabash the win.
DesJean finished with a career-high 27 points. Matt Storm (Anderson, IN/Lapel) added 11 and Ferguson had 10. DesJean had 14 rebounds to record his sixth double-double of the season.
Wabash moves to 5-1 in the NCAC with the win. The second-ranked team in the nation, the College of Wooster, will travel to Chadwick Court on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tipoff.