The Little Giants survived for the North Coast Athletic Conference win despite 24 turnovers and allowing the Yeomen 17 offensive rebounds.
"The positive that we can take away from today's game is that we won," said coach Mac Petty. "I'm not sure anyone will top 24 turnovers in a game i the conference this season. We cannot continue to give the ball away and believe we are going to win the game."
Matt Storm (Anderson, IN/Lapel) (photo)led the first-half charge by the Little Giants. The freshman guard hit 3-of-5 three-pointers to draw the defense away from the paint in the early part of the game. With the Yeomen leaving the paint, it allowed Storm to get the ball inside to Joe DesJean (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian). DesJean scored 12 of his 18 points in the first half as Storm finished the first 20 minutes with seven assists.
Wabash was bothered by Oberlin's full court pressure late in the first half and most the second, allowing the Yeomen to cut into the 21-point Little Giant lead. The leading scorer in the NCAC, Oberlin's James Knight, scored 12 of his game-high 27 points in the second half. Oberlin guard Cameron Leverett's steal and three-pointer cut the Wabash lead to six with only 5:28 remaining in the game. Layups by Brady Claxton (Shelbyville, IN/Shelbyville), Pleas Ferguson (Indianapolis, IN/Arsenal Tech), and Ryan Short (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian) pushed the advantage to nine, and free throws by Storm and and Short answered by an Oberlin basket in the final minute gave Wabash the win.
DesJean finished with his eighth double-double of the season after scoring 18 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. He added two late blocked shots. Storm tied his career high with 18 points, and had a career-best nine assists. Short had 15 for the Little Giants, and freshman Ryan Smith (Indianapolis, IN/Decatur Central) added 10 points coming off the bench.
Wabash moves to 8-9 with the win, 6-3 in the NCAC. The Little Giants will travel to Richmond, IN on Wednesday evening to play Earlham College in NCAC action at 7:30 p.m.