Crawfordsville, Ind.- The DePauw University men's basketball team falls 64-71 to Wabash College in a physical back-and-forth battle in game two of the rivalry series.

After beating Wabash in Neal Fieldhouse just a few weeks earlier, the Tigers took to the floor determined to sweep the series and move up the NCAC standings late in the season. 

The atmosphere in Chadwick Court was in one-word roaring, the vaulted ceilings in combination with the loud fans from both DePauw and Wabash filled the court. That energy moved from stands to the court as soon as the ball was tipped.

Winning the tip, the Tigers' freshman guard Elijah Hales drained a three to open the game with emphasis.

From there, DePauw and the Little Giants would trade baskets throughout the first 10 minutes of play, resulting in nine lead changes and three ties before the half.

At the eight-minute mark, Wabash managed to pull ahead by six and hold that distance for another three minutes, until Ken Decker drained his second-attempt behind the arc to cut the lead to three with five minutes left in the half.

Despite only possessing the ball for under a quarter of the first half, a combination of DePauw's three-point shooting and its ability to force seven turnovers and convert those turnovers to seven points kept them within reach of the Little Giant.

Leading the charge in keeping the Tigers offensively in the game was Nick Felke. Shooting 3-4 from behind the arc, Felke headed to the locker room at halftime with 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Down by four at the half, DePauw struggled to find its rhythm on both ends of the court. Though the Tigers finished the second half shooting just 34.5% from the field, the Tigers managed to stay within striking distance of the Little Giants for the majority of the half. 

Finding success in the drive and getting to the line DePauw improved its free-throw percentage drastically from the first half, going 8-12 from the line. 

Crucial free-throws by Felke and Hales would put the Tigers down by just one with 90 seconds left in regulation. Unfortunately for DePauw, quick fouls to stop the clock led to Wabash getting to the line and drilling eight of its nine attempts to extend its lead to three possessions.

The Tigers move to 9-6 in the North Coast Athletic Conference and 12-10 overall. DePauw will be back at Neal Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. to face Ohio Wesleyan on Senior Day. Come early and stay late, as both the men's and women's teams celebrate its seniors in a double-header against the Fighting Bishops.

This Freaky Fast post game report is sponsored by Jimmy John's in Greencastle, Indiana.