DePauw Tips Austin College; Advances to Second Straight Semi-Final

DePauw University (18-8, 12-4 SCAC) overcame a four point halftime deficit and withstood an Austin College rally late in the second half and advanced to the SCAC semifinals with a 61-56 win Friday afternoon.

Trailing 59-56 with 6.2 seconds left in the game, Austin College had a chance to tie the game. The No. 3 West seed Kangaroos inbounded the ball from underneath its own hoop and had a potential 3-on-2 break away only to be fouled on the inbounds pass. Ransom Okpala missed the ensuing free throw and DePaw's Steve Lemasters grabbed the rebound and iced the game with a pair of free throws.

The Kangaroos (12-14, 7-9 SCAC) shot just under 43 percent in the first half in jumping out to a 30-26 lead. Austin College was led by Walter Phillips' 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting. Also scoring in double-figures for the Kangaroos was Scott Straley who chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds.

DePauw's Michael Wilkison scored a team-high 14 points while teammate Tommy Weakley added 11 points. Wilkison added five assits to go along with four rebounds. Senior Ryan Sever nearly tallied a double-double as he scored eight points and grabbed a team high 10 rebounds, including a crucial offensive rebound with under 10 seconds to play and his team clinging to a 58-56 lead.

DePauw advances to the SCAC semifinals on Saturday, February 26. The Tigers square off against No. 1 West seed Trinity, who beat Rhodes 62-42 earlier in the day. The Tigers will make its second straight appearance in the SCAC semifinals and the program's fifth semifinal appearance since 2003.

After the game SCAC Sports Information Director Jeff DeBaldo caught up with both head coaches along with senior forward Ryan Sever of DePauw.

To listen to Austin College head coach Rodney Wecker, click here.

To listen to senior Ryan Sever of DePauw, click here.

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