HIRAM, Ohio - January 28, 2023 - The Hiram men's basketball team played some of its best defense of the season in a 69-58 win over DePauw on Saturday afternoon at Price Gymnasium.

The Terriers held their opposition to 58 points and a 40.7% FG pct (22-54), their fewest points allowed in any game this season. The team's perimeter defense also held DePauw to a 25% (5-20) clip from beyond the arc.

It continues a recent string of success for Hiram, who has won 3 of its last 4 games and moves closer to a .500 record in NCAC play (5-6). The team now features an 11-9 overall record, with 7 of those wins coming inside Price Gymnasium.

Senior Brodgie Gordon filled the stat sheet for 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, while senior Kevin Beans Jr. added 17 points and tied a season-high with 3 steals. Seven other Terriers players would record points in the game, including sophomore Trent Jakacki with 9 points on 4-8 shooting.

Neither team gained much separation in the first half, with Hiram leading by as many as 5 points before taking a 31-30 lead into the intermission. Gordon scored or assisted on 17 of the team's 31 points in the period (12 points, 2 assists leading to 5 points).

Hiram was able to hold onto that lead for the rest of the game, with Beans Jr. and Gordon making a pair of three-pointers within the first 70 seconds of the second half. The defensive effort was particularly evident, with the Tigers shooting 34.5% (10-29) over the last 20 minutes.

Beans Jr. gave the Terriers their first double-digit lead of the game on a driving layup with 8:39 to play in regulation. The senior drew a foul on the play and made the free throw to give Hiram a 53-43 advantage.

DePauw would eventually cut the margin to 8, but a pair of Max Johnson free throws staved off the late rally.

Hiram will resume NCAC play on Wednesday at Dension at 8 p.m.