Box Score

Oberlin, Ohio – Oberlin College had three players in double figures, but it wasn't enough as the first place Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops outlasted the Yeomen 64-61 on Wednesday night.

Playing in his final game at Philips Gym, senior Jordan Beard spearheaded the Yeomen attack with 19 points while dishing out five assists. First-year Josh Merritt also continued his strong back-half of the season with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Fellow rookie Joe Dilworth added 10 – all which came in the first half and Dahsan Gary matched his career-best with nine points.

“We couldn't quite finish them off tonight and that is disappointing,” head coach Isaiah Cavaco said. “However, I am really happy with the way we have played the last few weeks as we have really improved as a team.”

The Yeomen (5-19, 2-13 NCAC) trailed by as many as in 10 in the first half, but used a 12-2 run to get within two, 25-23, with four minutes left in the frame. The Bishops (17-6, 13-2 NCAC) responded by scoring seven of the final 10 points of the half to hold a 35-29 cushion at the break.

In the second half Oberlin outscored OWU 32-29 and went toe-to-toe with the Bishops for the entire 20 minutes. A pair of free throws by James Tompsett made it a 39-37 game just 3:30 into the half, but the Bishops pushed the lead back out to eight on two separate occasions over the next six minutes.

Trailing 50-42 with just over 10 minutes to play, Oberlin ripped off a 12-0 run to claim a 54-50 lead with 6:04 left on the clock. The spurt featured three-pointers from Beard, Merritt and Ryan Magiera.

The Yeomen were clinging to a four-point margin, 59-55, with 2:38 to play, but an old fashioned three-point play by Kyle Holliday cut it to one and another Holliday lay-up put the Bishops on top for good.

Down 62-59 with 11 seconds remaing, OC got a great play designed off a timeout that led a wide-open lay-up that just didn't go down. Oberlin quickly fouled following the rebound and Rob Gardiner missed the front-end of a one-on-one to give Oberlin life, but a smart foul by Ohio Wesleyan in the backcourt sent Beard to line for just two free throws before he could try and hoist a game-tying triple. Beard nailed both freebies, but just four seconds remained. Again OWU missed the front-end after a quick foul, however, Pat Pellerite snuck in for the offensive rebound and went on to make both free throws with just two seconds left. Beard did get off a half court shot at the buzzer, but it found nothing but the backboard to allow the Bishops to escape with the win.

The Yeomen shot 41.2-percent (21-of-51) and went 12-of-15 (80%) at the line. OWU finished at 45.8-percent (22-of-48). OC cashed in 23 points off of 12 Bishops' turnovers while committing a season-low six turnovers themselves. However, the Yeomen were out-rebounded 36-26 with 13 of those 36 coming on the offensive end which led to 23 second-chance points for the victors.

Oberlin will conclude its season on Saturday at Hiram College.