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Wabash 81, Ohio Wesleyan 72 (2/13/2002)

Joe DesJean scored 2 baskets during a 14-2 second-half run that put Wabash ahead to stay in a North Coast Athletic Conference win over Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday at Branch Rickey Arena.

The Bishops had taken a 37-36 lead on a 3-point play by sophomore center Travis Schwab (Medina) just 1:35 into the second half, but DesJean followed with a jumper from the lane to give Wabash the lead for good. The Little Giants had 4 other players score during that span, which was capped by a 3-pointer by Brady Claxton that put Wabash ahead, 50-39, with 13:22 remaining.

The Little Giants led by as many as 17 points and still led by a score of 72-58 after Kip Chase's 3-point play with 5:13 to go.

The Bishops came back behind Schwab and freshman forward Brandon Cole (Sidney), who hit 2 baskets apiece to slice the deficit to 74-67 with 1:31 to play.

But Wabash made enough free throws down the stretch to keep the Bishops at arm's length. Ohio Wesleyan came no closer than 6 points despite a pair of baskets by junior guard Kyle Comstock (Sunbury/Buckeye Valley) in the last 1:15.

The first half was a brisk, well-played affair that ended in a 34-34 tie after 9 lead changes and 4 ties. Ohio Wesleyan had only 2 turnovers in the first half, while Wabash turned the ball over but 6 times.

Ohio Wesleyan's biggest lead was 7 points, that coming at the end of an 11-2 Bishop run that featured 3 baskets by Schwab. The Bishops took a 20-13 lead with that spurt and led by 7 again after Claxton and Schwab traded 3-pointers.

Wabash chipped away at the lead and took a 34-31 lead on Joe Buck's lay-in with 1:41 left in the half, but sophomore guard Shawn Kindred (Delaware/Hayes) nailed a 3-pointer with :56 to play to tie the score at 34-34.

Schwab led the Bishops with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Kindred finished with 15 points and Cole had 10 points and 8 rebounds.

DesJean led Wabash with 24 points, Claxton scored 18 points and Ryan Short had 11 points. Jim Sink led all players with 11 rebounds.