Richmond, Ind.- The DePauw University men's basketball team clawed its way back from a nine-point deficit late in the second half to beat Earlham College 75-70.

Determined to close out 2019 on a high note, the Tigers played with grit and persistence throughout the entirety of the game.

Finding itself down 4-10 early in the first half, DePauw remained calm and increased its pressure defensively, forcing three, back-to-back turnovers by the Quakers and cutting the lead to three.

Due to some early foul trouble, the Tigers remained neck and neck with Earlham. With each team pulling in over ten rebounds and shooting just over 50% from the field, neither team could get an edge on the other.

Struggling behind the arc, DePauw shot just 33% from the three-point line; however, it managed to find success in the key, outscoring the Quakers 32-18 from the paint throughout the matchup.

On the defensive end, the Tigers were flying around the court, forcing seven of Earlhams 16 turnovers, while tallying only three of its own in the first half.

Finishing the first half with five steals, 11 rebounds, and three players (Nick Felke, Josh Hall, and Cooper Mixon) with seven points, DePauw's offense was beginning to click.

In the second half, DePauw and Earlham traded baskets in the opening minutes; however, the Tigers hit a dry spell midway through the half and found itself down by as much as nine points with just under ten minutes left in the game.

Unwilling to give up another road game, DePauw adjusted its offensive strategy, finding success in driving the ball. With just under seven minutes left in the game, the Tigers were back on top following an aggressive And-one play by Caymn Lutz to give DePauw a 57-55 lead.

With the tables suddenly turned and the Tigers offense starting to click again, DePauw would finish the last five minutes of the game with a 15-13 run.

Though the beginning of the second half was quiet for the Tigers, it roared past its opponents, thanks to the impactful 31-9 scoring coming from the bench.

Mixon led the charge to victory as a reserve, putting in 21 points, a new career-high, and igniting DePauw's offense when it mattered most.

DePauw moves to 4-6 for the season and continues to play on the road on Saturday, Jan. 4, against Hiram College. Game time is set for 2 p.m.