Wabash shot 69-percent from the field to defeat Franklin College 95-84 Saturday night in the first round of the Mike Rokicki Community vs. Cancer Basketball Tournament hosted by DePauw University. The Little Giants will face the host Tigers Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. in the championship game.
A 7-0 run by the Little Giants midway through the first half gave Wabash a 32-23 lead. A basket and two free throws by Brian Shelbourne were followed by a Ben Burkett three-pointer to boost the advantage to 12 points. Wabash would eventually take a 52-39 halftime lead with a basket by Rich Kavalauskas and a trey from Dominique Thomas.
Balanced scoring held the Little Giants’ lead to double figures in the early minutes of the second half. Wabash moved in front by 21 with Aaron Brock’s layup with 12:44 left in the contest. Franklin eventually trimmed the lead to 11 points with 4:30 remaining. The Little Giants responded with a 9-2 run to take a 17-point lead into the final minute of play before settling for the 11-point victory.
Six Little Giants scored in double figures to guide Wabash to its second win of the season. Wes Smith finished with 15 points, four assists, and six steals. Burkett added 14 points and team-high seven rebounds. Chase Haltom finished with 13 points, while Shelbourne, Brock, and Nick Curosh each added 10 points. Derek Bailey and Aaron Zinnerman each finished with eight points, as well. All 11 Wabash players who saw time on the court scored in the contest.
The Little Giants (2-2) will play DePauw (3-0) The Tigers defeated Washington & Jefferson 76-68 behind a 13-point effort by Ryan Russell. The championship game of the tournament tips off at 4 p.m.
