Wabash sophomore Ben Burkett scored a career-high 15 points in a losing effort in the Little Giants’ 80-64 loss at Ohio Wesleyan Wednesday night.
Burkett came off the bench in an attempt to rally the team after the Little Giants fell behind early in the contest. Wabash had no answer for the Bishops’ Brent Pleiman. The junior post player dominated the action early, scoring a career-high 20 points in the first half alone. He accounted for all 10 of OWU’s points in the first three minutes. Eight of his points came on putback baskets during that stretch. Pleiman finished with 24 points and a career-best 11 rebounds, including eight offensive boards. He also had five blocked shots.
Four days after the Little Giants blitzed Wooster with a 13-0 start before winning by 17, this time it was Wabash trailing early. The Little Giants trailed by as many as 17 points in the opening period, then could only watch as the Bishops took a 32-point lead midway through the second half.
Burkett added five rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 21 minutes of action. Aaron Brock added 15 points. Wes Smith finished with 10 before fouling out of the contest.
The Little Giants shot 24-of-63 from the field (38.2 percent). Wabash hit just 2-of-12 three-pointers. The Bishops (7-6, 3-2 NCAC) hit 31-of-65 shots for 44.8 percent and were 5-of-12 from beyond the three-point arc.
Wabash (7-6, 2-3 NCAC) will try to regroup Saturday with a 1 p.m. home game against Oberlin.