Ten days ago at Chadwick Court 57 points was enough for the Wabash basketball team to pick up a win over DePauw. Tuesday night the Little Giants would have a 3-for-21 first half shooting effort lead to a 17-point deficit before eventually falling 67-57 to the rival Tigers.
Wabash took a 4-0 lead on a layup by senior Brian Maloney and a steal and dunk by Wes Smith two minutes into the contest. Unfortunately Smith’s dunk would prove to be the last Little Giant basket until Aaron Brock scored on a layup nearly 14 minutes later. Only 10-of-15 shooting from the free throw line would help Wabash score 16 first-half points.
While the Little Giants struggled from the field, Mike Moore helped DePauw take a 33-16 halftime lead. Eleven days after the Tigers failed to hit a three-point shot against Franklin in the opening game of the Little Giant Tipoff Tournament, DePauw connected on 5-of-12 behind the arc in the opening period. Moore was 4-of-6 from long range, starting with two of his first three shots of the game.
The Little Giants ended an 0-for-8 three-point shooting performance in the first half when sophomore Andrew Gilman nailed a trey to begin the second half. Another basket by Brock cut the advantage to 12 points The Tigers’ lead would stretch back to 17 points over the next six minutes before Wabash could start to trim away again.
Down 16 points at the 11:17 mark, the Little Giants went on a 15-4 run over the next five minutes, capped by a pair of Maloney free throws to make the score 49-44. The Tigers responded with a three from Steve Lemasters and a three-point play from Moore to move in front by 11 once again. Brock would cut the lead back to single digits with a layup in the final minute before free throws created the final differential.
Brock recorded his second double-double of the season, leading Wabash with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Smith added 12 points and Maloney finished with 10. Moore led all scorers with 21 points. Lemasters added added 11 for DePauw (3-2).
The Little Giants finished 17-of-52 from the field for 33 percent, including 2-of-18 from the three-point arc. DePauw was 21-of-52 from the field and 7-of-20 from three-point range.
Wabash (2-2) begins North Coast Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon with a 3 p.m. contest at Kenyon College.
Photos - (top right) Wes Smith's early dunk gave Wabash a 4-0 lead, but would be one of only three first-half baskets for the Little Giants.
(Bottom left) Senior Brian Maloney scored a season-high 10 points against DePauw Tuesday night.