Greencastle, Ind. - Led by Elijah Hales' 33-point effort which included a school-record 31 in the second half, DePauw defeated visiting Wabash, 86-80, to move to 13-3 overall and 5-2 in the NCAC. The Little Giants dropped to 12-4 overall and 5-2 in the NCAC.

DePauw shot 52 percent in the opening half to Wabash's 41.9 percent, but the Little Giants hit four more 3-pointers and led, 34-30, at halftime. Wabash briefly pushed the lead to six after Josh Whack's bucket in the opening three minutes of the second half. The lead changed hands seven times and there were three ties over the final 20 minutes. Avery Beaver scored at the 8:41 mark to give the Little Giants their last lead of the game at 52-51. Ronald Johnson's layup and Nolan Niego's two free throws gave DePauw a 55-52 advantage with just over eight minutes left.

Vinny Buccilla's trey evened the count at 55-55, but the Tigers took the lead for good on baskets from Hales and Grant Gohmann. Hales nailed a three with 2:54 remaining to give DePauw its largest lead at 76-68. The margin was still eight at 80-72 after DePauw's Sam Jacobs hit two three throws with 1:14 left. Wabash closed to within four after Edreece Redmond's basket with 32 seconds left, but Johnson hit two free throws before Grant Niego drew a Wabash offensive foul and Hales later made two free throws to push the lead back to eight.

Hales led all scorers with 33 and his 31 in the second half were a DePauw record for a single half which he set in December at Kalamazoo. Johnson added 12 and Jacobs 10. Ahmoni Jones paced Wabash with 20 points followed by Bucilla with 17, Beaver with 15 and Whack with 13. 

DePauw held a 36-26 rebounding edge as Gohmann grabbed eight for DePauw. Gavin Schippert led Wabash with nine boards. 

DePauw shot 58.0 percent from the field including 64 percent in the second half, while Wabash connected on only 41.3 percent. The Tigers held a 40-28 advantage in points in the paint. 

DePauw travels to Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday, Jan. 18, for a 7 p.m. NCAC contest.