Greencastle, Ind. - A strong first-half propelled DePauw to a 72-52 North Coast Athletic Conference win over visiting Hiram. The Tigers improved to 13-5 overall and 7-1 in the NCAC, while the Terriers dropped to 9-10 overall and 2-6 in conference play.

The Tigers held a 16-8 lead after the opening period and closed the first half on a 16-2 run to take a 38-14 advantage into the halftime intermission.

DePauw held at least a 20-point lead throughout the third period before Hiram used a 12-4 stretch to close to within 14 at 62-48 with 4:17 remaining. The Tigers ended the threat by scoring the next eight as Lily Huntzinger and Ava Hassel hit threes and Hassel followed with a layup.

Huntzinger led the Tigers with a career-high 18 points, while Olivia Hart matched a career-best with 16 points and Moira McGinley followed with 12. Riley Mont, Ainsley Boras and Huntzinger each grabbed six rebounds. Ava Hassel led DePauw with six assists.

Brooke Hickman paced Hiram with 15 points followed by Ava Mory with 12, Avril Drew with 11 and Isabella Caceres with 10. Mory totaled nine rebound and Caceres handed out five assists.

DePauw shot 44.3 percent from the floor to Hiram's 44.7 percent and the Tigers held a 40-26 rebounding edge and a 23-8 lead in second-chance points. DePauw committed 10 turnovers to Hiram's 15 and the Tigers held a 16-3 advantage in points off those turnovers.

DePauw returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 5, when it hosts Denison at 8 p.m. The Tigers will recognize all their women's teams at halftime of the game as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.