Greencastle, Ind.- DePauw faced a tough challenge tonight as it entertained ninth-ranked Wittenberg who came to the Neal Fieldhouse on an 11-game win streak, but the host Tigers put together one of their most complete games this season and rolled to a 72-46 North Coast Athletic Conference win.
With the win DePauw improved to 11-3 on the year and 6-1 in the NCAC, while the visiting Tigers fell to 12-2 on the year and 6-1 in NCAC play. DePauw extended its win streak to six which is its longest since it had an equal streak in the 2010-11 season.
Both teams battled in a first half that featured three ties and seven lead changes. Wittenberg held a 27-26 lead with 6:23 left but DePauw scored the next 11. During the run, the guests committed four turnovers and missed four field goal tries.
DePauw forced 10 turnovers in the first half and kept Wittenberg from finding any rhythm offensively. The hosts tallied 12 points off turnovers and took a 39-31 halftime lead.
The second half was all DePauw as it outscored Wittenberg 33-15 and held a comfortable lead for the entire half. DePauw shot 56.0 percent (14-25) in the half and held the visitors to just 23.3 percent (7-30).
DePauw scored the first five points of the half, but Wittenberg trimmed the lead to 47-38 with 15:29 remaining. The hosts put the game away with a 21-4 run over an 11-minute stretch.
DePauw's Michael Wilkison led all scorers with 23 points and added a career-high four steals. Pat Haggin and Tommy Fernitz each scored 11 points in the victory.
Mark Johnson and Fernitz each grabbed a game-high eight rebounds for DePauw who outrebounded Wittenberg, 37-21, including a 10-7 edge on the offensive glass. Wittenberg entered the week ranked second in Division III rebound margin at +12.1.
Wittenberg was led by Scott Masin who totaled 10 points and five rebounds. Sam Collins added eight points in the loss.
DePauw shot 90.0 percent (9-10) from the charity stripe to Wittenberg's 71.4 percent (5-7). The host Tigers won the battle in the paint outscoring the visitors 36-22.
The win was DePauw's second in four tries against a ranked opponent and the Tigers host 22nd-ranked Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday, January 18., at 1 p.m.