Box Score

Memphis, Tenn. - The DePauw men's basketball season came to a disappointing conclusion as the Tigers dropped their Souhern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal game by an 88-84 overtime score, but the Tigers went down fighting and playing one of their best games of the season.

"We're getting better and playing harder," DePauw coach Bill Fenlon said. "We were just one rebound away, one turnover away from winning that game."

DePauw had a chance to tie the game near the end of the overtime as Matt McDonald's baseline jumper with five seconds left was off the mark and John Gergely's put-back glanced off the rim with 1.1 second remaining. Jared Woytasczk knocked down two free throws to seal the win.

Southwestern battled back from an eight-point deficit with under six minutes to play in regulation and briefly held a two-point lead at 73-71. In the closing minute the Tigers led 77-75 and possessed the ball, but Brandon Daniels stole the ball from Joey Hanger near midcourt and went in for the layup with 51 seconds left. Todd Capes hit two free throws with 32 seconds left to put DePauw ahead 79-77, but the Pirates tied the game on Aaron Bowser's bucket with two seconds left.

Gergely had a career game for the Tigers with collegiate bests of 20 points and 11 rebounds in his final college game. Capes, Jon Owens and Dre Smith each finished with 11 and McDonald added 10.

Bowser paced Southwestern with 30 points and hit six-of-eight three-pointers. Woytasczk and Daniels each scored 12 with Jamonn Little chipping in 11. Southwestern hit 14 of 27 three-pointers, but the Tigers managed just two of 14.

"That might have been the best we've played this year," Fenlon added. "They beat us with their best game and we just came up one possession short."

DePaw closed the season with a 16-10 mark, while the Pirates improved to 17-9 heading into their semifinal game against Trinity.