The Little Giants trailed by 23 with 4:47 remaining, only to cut the lead to 12 with 1:18 remaining. But Wabash would only get to within 10 points on two free throws by Kip Chase (Bedford, IN/Bedford North Lawrence) before a layup by the Tigers came ahead of the buzzer.
The game was back and forth throughout much of the first half with 12 lead changes and eight ties. Wabash took a five-point lead when junior Joe DesJean (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian) hit two free throws with 7:54 remaining in the opening period, only to see the Tigers tie the game two minutes later. DePauw took a three-point lead at the half, then jumped the advantage up to 12 points in the first four minutes of the second half.
DesJean led both teams in scoring with 22 points. Junior Jesse Burgess (Camby, IN/Mooresville) added 10 points from the other forward position.
The Little Giants will open play in the North Coast Athletic Conference on Saturday afternoon, playing Kenyon College at 3 p.m. at Chadwick Court