DesJean scored at will against the Quakers, hitting 9-of-10 shots in the game. He led the Little Giants with 22 points, despite spending much of the second half on the bench with foul trouble. DesJean played only 22 minutes in the contest, nine minutes in the second half.
With DesJean on the bench in foul trouble, the inside scoring continued from Buck. The 6-7 junior scored 12 points, going 4-of-6 from the field to give Wabash 34 points from the interior.
Earlham tried to rely on the three-point shooting of Travis Brett, but the Claxton had the answer on defense.
“What a super job Brady did defensively on Brett tonight,” said Petty. “I told Coach (Jason) Mulligan that he looked like a tick on a coon dog. Brady stayed with him step for step the entire night.”
Brett hit four threes in the first half before Claxton drew the assignment to shut him down on the defensive end. He held Brett to only three shots the rest of the game, eliminating the outside threat for Earlham.
That was all Wabash needed. After leading by six at the half, the Little Giants jumped in front by eight before the Quakers cut the advantage back to one point. Wabash never relinquished the lead, jumping back in front 50-41. Earlham would never get any closer than four points in the second half as Wabash held on for the win.
Claxton reached double figures in scoring in addition to his excellent defensive effort. He finished the game with 14 points.
Wabash (6-7, 4-3) hits the road once again on Saturday, traveling to Oberlin, Ohio to face the Yeomen in NCAC play. The tipoff is set for 2 p.m.