Hiram, Ohio - Emily Budde scored 22 points and Melinda Franke hauled down eight rebounds as 24th-ranked DePauw moved to 10-3 overall and 4-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference after a 63-54 win at Hiram. The Terriers dropped to 8-5 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

DePauw shot just 36 percent in the first half, but clung to a 31-28 lead as it knocked down 12-of-15 free throws and outrebounded the Terriers, 21-11 over the opening 20 minutes.

The Tigers started to pull away early in the third after Budde hit a pair of jumpers sandwiching a pair of Claire Ryan free throws to make it 37-28. DePauw took a 44-36 lead into the final stanza.

DePauw stretched the margin to as many as 12 in the fourth before Hiram closed the gap to eight at 57-49 with 2:15 remaining. The Terriers had a chance to cut the lead to six, but MayaHoward's steal set up a possession that ended with Budde's jumper with 1:07 left.

Budde and Stoner each hit free throws in the final 34 seconds to seal the victory.

Budde led all with her 22 points, while Franke's eight boards were also a game high. Rya dished out four assists in the win.

Kaylee Shockley paced Hiram with 14, while Mercedes Jones added 13 and a team-best seven rebounds. 

DePauw shot 55 percent in the second half and finished at 44.4 percent for the game, while Hiram connected on 36.5 percent from the field.

The Tigers held a 38-23 edge on the boards and finished with 22-of-26 free throw shooting.

DePauw returns to NCAC action on Wednesday, January 6, when it hosts Denison at 7:30 p.m.