Wooster Holds On To Defeat DePauw 64-61

Steve Thompson, pictured here against Case Reserve in the first round, led Wooster with 12 points in the title game against DePauw.

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WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster men's basketball withstood a late DePauw rally to win 64-61 and capture the Al Van Wie / Wooster Rotory Classic championship game Saturday evening at Timken Gymnasium.

The Scots, who improved their record to 2-0 overall and ran their home winning streak to 19 games, led 62-54 with 2:24 to play in the second half. But the Tigers fought back, drawing to within three points with 39 seconds to play on two free throws by Sean Lewis.

Wooster was unable to score on the ensuing possession, so DePauw got the ball back with 24 seconds left. After taking two timeouts, the Tigers' Mike Howland fired a three-point shot from the top of the circle, but it hit the front of the iron as the buzzer went off.

The Scots led most of the game, and held a 32-25 lead at halftime. But DePauw chipped away, eventually taking a 41-40 lead with 13:28 left in the second half. The lead traded hands once before a basket by senior post player John Ellenwood (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview) gave Wooster a lead that it would never relinquish.

Five players scored eight or more points for the Scots, led by junior Steve Thompson (Smithville, Ohio / Rittman), who finished with 12 points. Thompson also added four assists and two steals. Freshman Bryan Nelson (Kettering, Ohio / Kettering Fairmont) had 10 points, while Ellenwood and sophomore Antwyan Reynolds (Mansfield, Ohio / Mansfield) each had nine points.

Leading the way for DePauw was Joe Nixon, who had a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds. Lewis added 14 points and six rebounds.

In the consolation game played earlier in the day, Case Western Reserve defeated Alfred 75-66.

Nelson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after collecting 20 points and 10 boards in two games. Joining Nelson on the all-tournament team were Ellenwood and Reynolds, along with Lewis and Nixon from DePauw. The Most Valuable Defensive Player award went to Kareem McKinnon of Alfred, who set a new tournament record with 13 blocks. Brian Perse from Case Western Reserve rounded out the all-tournament team.