Hiram 81, Ohio Wesleyan 79

Feb. 1, 2003

Matt Kersten's long-range shooting helped Hiram overcome a 26-point first-half deficit and Carlton Dean sank 2 free throws to break a 78-78 tie and put Hiram ahead to stay as the Terriers nipped Ohio Wesleyan in North Coast Athletic Conference action on Saturday in Branch Rickey Arena.

Ohio Wesleyan, which had overcome a 26-point first-half deficit in a win over Allegheny on Jan. 18, wasted little time in building a lead on Saturday. With the Bishops leading, 5-4, on a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer by junior center Charlie Smith (Centerburg), Ohio Wesleyan took off on a 19-0 burst. Junior center Travis Schwab (Medina) and freshman guard Ross Rybarczyk (Oberlin/Elyria Catholic) each scored 5 points during that spree.

Hiram broke its 8-minute scoring drought when Dean bulled his way into the lane and scored, but the Bishops came back with a 10-2 run to hike the lead to 34-8 on a 3-pointer by senior guard Kyle Comstock (Sunbury/Buckeye Valley) with 6:49 left in the first half.

Kersten then hit 3 straight 3-pointers to start Hiram's comeback. He added another late in the first half and Allen Kirkpatrick drilled another 3-pointer in the last minute of play as Hiram closed to within 43-26 at halftime.

The Terriers got 3 straight baskets from Mervyn Jones to kick off a 9-0 run to open the second half, slicing the deficit to 43-35. Ohio Wesleyan recovered to take a 52-41 lead with 14:09 remaining, but Hiram continued to claw at the lead. Kersten hit 3 more 3-pointers to help the Terriers come within 68-63 with 7:50 to play, then anothe Kersten 3-pointer capped a 7-0 sprint that brought Hiram within 72-71 with 4:28 left.

Schwab responded for Ohio Wesleyan, drilling a 3-pointer of his own and sinking 2 free throws, but Kersten sank yet another 3-pointer and Jones drove the baseline to make it 77-76, Ohio Wesleyan. After a Bishop miss, Dean's jumper from the free throw line gave Hiram its first lead of the game at 78-77 with 1:54 remaining.

Schwab tied the game at 78-78 with a free throw, but Dean hit 2 charity shots with 1:13 to play to put Hiram ahead to stay.

Sophomore forward Brandon Cole (Sidney) hit the second of 2 free throws as Ohio Wesleyan closed to within 80-79 with :34.3 left, but Kersten answered with the second of 2 free throws less than 2 seconds later.

Ohio Wesleyan had 2 shots at game-winning 3-pointers, but was not able to connect on either one.

Schwab led the Bishops with 23 points and shared the team lead with 7 rebounds, while Comstock finished with 16 points, Smith added 12 points and Cole had 11 points and shared the team lead with 7 rebounds. Rybarczyk and sophomore guard Bryan King (Sidney) shared the team lead with 3 assists apiece.

Kersten led Hiram with 28 points, going 9-for-13 from behind the arc. Dean finished with 17 points and Jones added 10 points. David Mayle and DaJuan Whiteside shared the team lead with 6 rebounds apiece.

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