Wabash College's Nate Matelic had a step on The College of Wooster men's basketball team's defense on a drive to the rim, and his old-fashion three-point play with 24.3 seconds remaining made it a two-possession game in Saturday's 72-66 win by the Little Giants at Chadwick Court.

Wooster had just pulled within 65-64, as junior Quincy Jones found a cutting Jaiden Cox-Holloway at the rim for a lay-in with about 41 seconds left. The Fighting Scots played for the stop, knowing a successful one would have set up a chance for the lead. However, Matelic's drive from the top was a little bit ahead of the guarding defender, resulting in a foul at the rim. Matelic converted the and-one free throw, forcing Wooster into a quick 3-point try.

Senior Isaac Roeder secured the offensive rebound following Wooster's long-range miss and had the Scots within two after he was fouled. Next, Wooster nearly trapped a Wabash guard in the backcourt, but the Little Giants were able to get the ball ahead to Rich Brooks, who made both free throws to extend the lead back to four with 9.2 seconds left.

Roeder picked off a Luke Ellspermann pass with 2:32 left in Saturday's game, giving Wooster a chance to go for the tie. Sophomore Breckman Oakley ultimately opted for a two-pointer and secured the rebound following his own miss. The ball was worked to Roeder in the corner, but the senior's tying triple was off the mark. The Scots were unsuccessful scoring on the next possession when Wooster attempted a contested turnaround jumper from about 10 feet out.

Wooster found success deploying its zone defense at the onset, as the Scots had a narrow lead in the early going. Senior EJ Kapihe's second-chance layup gave Wooster a 9-6 advantage less than five minutes into the contest. Roeder's drive and pull-up jumper made it a three-point game again, answering a Brooks second-chance layup. Later, sophomore Si Kielian split a pair of Little Giants defenders on his drive to the rim to make it 13-10.

Wabash, which led 32-28 at halftime, opened the second half with a 10-0 run that was broken up by Jones free throws.

Roeder's 13 points led Wooster. Jones and first-year Tommy Vaughn Jr. dropped in 11 points each. Kapihe ended the day with eight points, six rebounds, and Wooster's lone block. Vaughn Jr. was credited with three steals.

Wooster shot 42.6 percent (23-of-54) for the game and went 15-of-19 at the charity stripe.

Brooks hit 8-of-12 from the field and knocked down all five free throws for a game-high 24 points. Ellspermann followed with 15 points. Gavin Schippert dropped in 11 points to go with a game-high 11 rebounds. His boards helped the Little Giants to a 36-32 edge in rebounding.

Wabash connected at 42.4 percent (25-of-59) from the floor and hit 16-of-20 free throws.

Wabash is now 14-7, 8-4 North Coast Athletic Conference. Wooster is 7-15, 4-9 NCAC.

Wooster is idle until a 3 p.m. game at Ohio Wesleyan University (6-15, 3-9 NCAC) on Saturday, Feb. 14.