DePauw sinks Pirates 67-60 to Advance to Men's Semifinals

In a rematch of last year's SCAC quarterfinal, the second seeded DePauw University Tigers survived a furious comeback attempt from the third seeded Southwestern University Pirates, and advanced to the 2010 SCAC semifnals with a 67-60 win Saturday night.

DePauw's Steve Lemasters was one of four Tigers who scored in double-figures. He led the team with 18. Tom Callen (13), David Gray (13) and Tomm Weakley (12) rounded out the quartet. Lemasters added six rebounds, one assist and shot 5-for-12 from beyond the arc.

The Tigers jumped out to a 45-26 halftime lead thanks in large part to outstanding shooting. DePauw shot a sizzling 57.7 percent (15-for-26) from the floor, including making 10-of-18 3-point attempts (55.6 percent). DePauw closed the half on a 24-6 run that seemed to put the game out of reach.

Southwestern, however, did not go quietly in the second half. After trailing 50-30, five minutes into the second half, the Pirates responded with a 17-4 run over seven minutes to cut DePauw's lead to 54-47. Southwestern got to within six points with just under two minutes left before the Tigers put the game away.

DePauw out-rebounded the Pirates a 36-24 count while also holding a decisive 18-4 edge in points off the bench. Southwestern was able to convert 19 Tigers turnovers into 19 points.

Southwestern was led by a trio of Pirates who scored in double-figures. Leading the group was senior guard Travis Barber. Barber poured in 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting and added two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior guard Anthony Cox posted a solid night with 14 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists while junior forward Jonathan Brown chipped in with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting (63.6 percent). He also added four rebounds, two steals and a block.

With the win, DePauw now faces #1W seeded Austin College in the semifinals Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Central.

After the contest SCAC Director of Sports Information Jeff DeBaldo caught up with both head coaches along with DePauw junior Steve Lemasters.

To listen to Southwestern head coach Bill Raleigh, click here.

To listen to DePauw head coach Bill Fenlon, click here.

To listen to DePauw junior Steve Lemasters, click here.