Wabash faced the number one-ranked College of Wooster Fighting Scots Saturday afternoon in Timken Gymnasium, and for the third time this season the Little Giants lost to a top-ranked team. Wabash fell behind early, eventually falling 95-71.
The Little Giants played number one-ranked Illinois Wesleyan in the second game of the season, losing 79-67 in the championship game of the Little Giant Tipoff Classic back in November. Three weeks ago the Wittenberg Tigers were the top-ranked team in the nation, defeating Wabash 63-48. The loss to the Scots was also the fifth defeat of the Little Giants by a top-ten team this season.
The tone was set early by Wooster when Tom Port hit a three-pointer for the opening basket of the game. The Scots would race out to a 35-point lead in the final minute of the first half, taking advantage of their own good shooting and a Wabash team that struggled from the three-point arc all game long. The Little Giants would connect on only 3-of-17 shots from behind the arc, including 2-of-9 in the opening period. Wabash would get no closer than 26 points on a Jimmy Owens three midway through the second half before closing to the final 24-point deficit in the final minute.
Andrew Zimmer paced the Little Giants with 15 points, hitting 7-of-13 shots. He also tied with Owens in rebounding, each grabbing five boards. Gary Simkus added 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Wabash remains in fourth place in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings, thanks to a loss by Earlham at home against Ohio Wesleyan. The Little Giants close the regular season this week with a home game Wednesday evening against Wittenberg before heading to Kenyon College Saturday afternoon.