Clinging to a two-point lead with six second remaining, DePauw 's 6-9 center, Tommy Fernitz took a pass from beyond half court and attempted a potential game-tying layup. The pass led Fernitz just a step too far under the basket and his attempt clipped the bottom of the backboard, resulting in a 67-65 win for the Big Red.
The victory moves Denison's record to 5-1 while also marking their first win over a nationally ranked team (DePauw entered the game ranked No. 18) since last February's 63-60 win over then 18th ranked Wittenberg.
With 6:47 to play Denison led by 11, but DePauw's Connor Rich would knock down his fifth 3-pointer of the contest, setting off a 12-2 run for the Tigers that left Denison scrambling with a one point lead with only 24 seconds to play.
The Tigers would foul Denison's David Meurer with 16 seconds left and the sophomore guard sank the pair, putting his squad back up 66-63. At the other end, Luke Lattner drove to the basket with seven seconds left. The bucket extended the game but left DePauw still trailing 66-65. The Tigers would foul Briggs King where the senior would split the pair, giving DePauw a chance to either tie the game or win it with a 3-pointer. Fernitz' last gasp at overtime would come up shy and Denison walked off with another hard-earned win.
Beating a nationally ranked team while struggling to a 3-of-21 shooting performance from 3-point range typically is not a recipe for success but tonight, ball movement and free throw shooting bailed out DU. The Big Red knocked down 18-of-22 free throws compared to a 15-of-25 showing from the Tigers. Denison was 23-of-53 from the field (.434) while DePauw was right behind at 22-of-55 (.400).
Meurer led DU with 20 points, four assists and two steals in 34 minutes. King added 13 points and led the team with 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. Brad Woolard scored 10 points and matched Meurer with four assists. Matthew Bauer did not score but he was a force inside, blocking five shots while adding five rebounds in 21 minutes.
Fernitz paced DePauw with 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots. He was 6-for-9 from the floor and 9-of-14 from the charity stripe. Rich came off the bench to score 17 points, powered by a 5-of-8 performance from beyond the arc.
Denison will put its 5-1 record on the line against another nationally ranked opponent on Saturday when they travel to No. 14 Ohio Wesleyan for a 3 p.m. tip-off from Branch Rickey Arena. The Battling Bishops (6-0) are coming off a 92-89 win over 10th ranked Wooster on Wednesday night.