Wabash head basketball coach Mac Petty has been battling a virus all week. What he saw Wednesday night from his team against Ohio Wesleyan won’t make him feel any better.
The Little Giants surrendered 42 points and 25 rebounds in the first half on the way to an 86-57 blowout loss to the Battling Bishops at Branch Rickey Arena.
Both teams entered play tied for third in the North Coast Athletic Conference, but OWU made it clear from the outset it was going to take sole possession and remain in the hunt for a possible conference title.
The Bishops took a six-point lead in the first five minutes and never allowed Wabash to get any closer than nine points in the opening period. OWU scored 13 of its 42 points on second chance baskets, grabbing 11 rebounds on its offensive end of the floor.
The Little Giants’ were outshot, outrebounded, and outhustled in the first half. Ohio Wesleyan connected on 16-of-31 shots from the field compared to 9-of-27 shooting by Wabash in the first 20 minutes.
Earl Rooks hit a jumper in the lane at the 7:09 mark to trim the lead to nine points before the Bishops responded with a 16-2 run over the next four minutes to blow the game open with a 23-point lead.
Two free throws by Gary Simkus to begin the second half drew Wabash to within 15, but it was as close as the Little Giants would ever get in the final period.
The Little Giants finished the game hitting only 19-of-52 from the field, connecting on only two out of 15 three-point attempts. OWU (13-6, 8-3 NCAC) was 30-of-62 and 10-of-21 from beyond the arc. The Bishops grabbed 45 rebounds in the contest, including 21 offensive boards that accounted for 22 second-chance points. Wabash finished with just 27 total rebounds.
Andrew Zimmer led Wabash with 15 points and seven rebounds. Wes Smith added 12 points. Jesse Jean finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds to pace the Bishops. Casey Teeters scored 16, while Kyle Holliday and Dustin Rudegeair each added 12.
The loss to Ohio Wesleyan gives both teams a win on their home floor in the season series. The Little Giants won 67-62 earlier this year over OWU at Chadwick Court.
Wabash (13-7, 7-4 NCAC) falls into a tie with Kenyon for fourth place in the conference standings after the Lords defeated Denison 73-53. The Little Giants travel to Wooster Saturday.
Photos (top right) Chase Haltom drives for two of his seven points in the game.
(Bottom right) Wes Smith scored 12 points in a losing effort for Wabash.