DePauw Men Advance to Third SCAC Championship Game

DePauw University avenged its regular season loss to Trinity University as the Indiana Tigers (19-8, 12-4 SCAC) advanced to their second consecutive SCAC championship with a 58-56 win over the Texas Tigers in the first semifinal of the 2011 SCAC Men's Basketball tournament.

DePauw jumped out to a 33-24 halftime lead thanks to 50 percent shooting in the first half. The Indiana Tigers shot 13-of-26 while holding Trinity to 37 percent shooting in the first half (10-of-27).

Trinity scored 36 of their 56 points from three starters as Ryan Beall paced the group with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Beall was 5-of-9 from the floor. Freshman Robert Kitzinger scored 12 points while senior forward Luke Caldarera scored 10 points and added five rebounds.

In the second half DePauw cooled off as Trinity limited the Indiana Tigers to 9-of-23 shooting (39.1 percent). Trinity shot better as they connected on 14-of-29 from the floor in the second stanza (48.3 percent). Trinity tied the game with less than 30 seconds remaining on the heels of 13 offensive rebounds during the game.

Trailing 58-56 with 30 seconds left in the game, Trinity had a chance to tie or win the game on their final possession. However, Trinity's Caldarera was not able to get the tying basket as time expired.

With the win DePauw advances to its third all-time appearance in the SCAC championship game and second straight trip. DePauw won the 2006 SCAC championship before falling to Centre in last year's final, 60-56. DePauw will play the winner of the Centre vs. Oglethorpe semifinal on Sunday, February 27 at 2:30 p.m. CT at Millsaps College.

After the game SCAC Sports Information Director Jeff DeBaldo caught up with both head coaches and DePauw senior Steve Lemasters.

To listen to Trinity head coach Pat Cunningham, click here.

To listen to senior Steve Lemasters of DePauw, click here.

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