Wittenberg's Scott Masin hit two free throws with 11.2 seconds remaining and DePauw's Kevin Sullivan couldn't connect on a jumper from the right baseline as the visiting Tigers advanced to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals with a 63-62 win over DePauw at the Neal Fieldhouse.
DePauw finished the season at 16-10, while Wittenberg improved to 17-9 and will face Wooster in Friday's semifinal. Eight of DePauw's 10 losses were by four or fewer points.
The hosts fell behind early by as many as 12 at 23-11 after Cam Walton hit a trio three-pointers to cap an 11-0 run. DePauw chipped away at the lead and eventually knotted the contest at 30-30 on Connor Rich's three with 2:03 left in the half. Adam Botts' trey with 40 seconds left sent DePauw to the intermission with a 35-33 advantage.
The margin remained below four points for most of the second half and the game was tied 52-52 after DePauw's Barry Flynn hit one of two free throws. Wittenberg responded as Masin converted a three-point play and Sam Collins dropped in a jumper.
Sullivan nailed a three-pointer on DePauw's next trip down the floor, was fouled and converted the four-point play to close the lead to one.
Botts nailed a pair of free throws with 1:55 left to give DePauw a 58-57 lead before Masin's two charity tosses just 20 seconds later put Wittenberg back in front. Sullivan came right back with a drive to put DePauw ahead, 60-59.
Walton missed a three with just under one minute left, but Zack Leahy snagged the rebound and was fouled. His two free throws pushed the Wittenberg lead to 61-60 with 42.7 seconds left. The guests took a pair of timeouts and DePauw got the ball to Sullivan out of the timeout and he drove the lane to put the hosts ahead, 62-61, with 29 seconds left.
Masin received the ball on the low block and Flynn was whistled for a foul on the shot. Following a DePauw timeout, Masin's first attempt hit the front of the rim and bounced in to tie the game. His second toss put Wittenberg ahead to stay.
DePauw called a timeout with eight seconds left after advancing the ball into the forecourt. Botts inbounded to Flynn who drove and flipped to Sullivan on the right wing. Sullivan drove the right side and his baseline jumper bounced off the rim. DePauw fouled on the rebound and Wittenberg missed both free throws, but Flynn's full-court heave was short..
Sulliuvan, playing his final collegiate game, scored a career-high 19 and grabbed six rebounds, while Botts added 13 and hit four three-pointers. Flynn, also in his last contest scored 13 and snagged a team-high eight boards. Pat Haggin finished with 11 points.
Masin led Wittenberg with 25 points followed by Walton with 11 and Leahy with 10. Masin led with eight rebounds.
DePauw shot 38.3 percent from the floor to Wittenberg's 48.8 percent and DePauw held a 33-29 edge on the boards. Wittenberg outscored DePauw from the line, 14-7, and held a 24-16 lead in points in the paint.