Flynn's 26-Point, 14-Rebound Effort Not Enough in NCAC Lidlifter
December 1, 2012
Greencastle, Ind. - Barry Flynn’s 26-point, 14-rebound performance was something DePauw fans hadn’t seen in almost ten years, yet the Tigers fell, 68-64, to North Coast Athletic Conference compatriot Kenyon in the conference opener for both schools. This was Kenyon’s first victory over the Tigers in the history of both programs.
With the victory the Lords move to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in NCAC play and collected their first win over DePauw in eight meetings. The Tigers dropped to a matching 4-2 record and 0-1 in conference. The three-point loss to the Lords snapped DePauw’s four-game winning streak as the Tigers' two losses have come by a combined five total points.
Flynn’s (pictured) output was the first time a DePauw player had registered a 25+ point, 14+ rebound performance since Dec. 13, 2002. On that day, then senior Jeremy Bettis dropped 25 points and hauled in 14 rebounds in a 90-77 victory over Indiana-Southeast.
Today’s game started off as a back and forth affair that saw the Tigers lead the Lords 11-10 after Flynn capitalized on an ‘old-fashioned’ three-point play just over five minutes into the contest.
DePauw wouldn’t tally another basket until Flynn gained position on the right block and made a quick fall away jumper, getting fouled in the process, cutting the 10-point Kenyon lead to eight. The Tigers went scoreless for 8:46 over game time, going 0-13 from the floor in that span.
A minute prior to Flynn's bucket, DePauw Head Coach Bill Fenlon inserted senior guard Kevin Sullivan for the first time all season. Sullivan would stem the Lords’ momentum, scoring eight first-half points in only seven minutes of play.
With the strong and efficient play of Sullivan and Flynn, the Tigers went on a 19-3 run over the last 6:19 of the first stanza to go into the locker room with a 30-24 lead, the Tigers largest of the game.
The Tigers came out of the locker room with another stretch of time without tallying a made field goal, this time for just under five minutes. Connor Rich broke the streak after draining a 23-foot three-pointer to put DePauw back in the lead, 35-34.
The Lords came out in the second half looking to get to the foul line more often after shooting only three from the charity stripe in the first half. Their adjustments worked as they found themselves in the bonus just 6:24 into the half.
In a game that saw 14 lead changes, the Tigers led the Lords by a single point after a three-pointer by Rich with 2:22 left in the game, but that would be the last time DePauw would hold the lead the rest of the contest.
After Julian Pavlin stretched the Lords lead to three with just over a minute remaining, DePauw forward Pat Haggin turned the ball over on a drive to the hoop, presumably ending DePauw’s chance at victory.
With just five seconds left on the Kenyon shot clock, Haggin made amends for his earlier turnover by stripping Ikenna Nwadibia, and finding a streaking Flynn, who cut the Lords lead to one with a uncontested, fast-break layup.
Kenyon’s Pavlin was then fouled and he again made both. With the Lords up three, DePauw first looked to get a quick basket, but when Kenyon played stout interior defense, Haggin found freshman Adam Botts who had an open look to tie the game. Botts’ shot just rattled out and the Lords collected the ball to wrap up the game.
In addition to Flynn's 26 ponits, Sullivan added 10 in 11 minutes. Pavlin paced Kenyon with 16 points, four assists, four steals and two rebounds. John Bray followed with 13 points and Cooper Handelsman finished with 11.
The Lords shot 19 free throws in the second half, making 15, after only shooting three in the opening half.
DePauw shot 35.2% (19-54) for the game while Kenyon shot a blistering 53.3% (24-45) from the floor for the contest and 59.1% (13-22) in the second half.
The Tigers return to floor next Saturday, December 8, when they travel to Ohio Wesleyan for a 3 p.m. tip.
NOTES: Barry Flynn collected his second double-double of the season with the 26 point, 14 rebounds performance … he collected the first of the season in the last game, a 15 point, 14 rebound performance against Earlham … this was Flynn’s seventh career double-double … in three career games against Kenyon, Flynn is averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds … the 35.2% shooting from the floor was DePauw’s lowest of the season, with the previous low being 42.2% against Purdue-North Central (11/24) … the Tigers have outrebounded every opponent this season … this is the first time the Tigers have allowed a team to shoot over 50% since a 66-62 loss to Wittenberg (54.8%) on Jan. 25, 2012 … with the loss, DePauw Head Coach Bill Fenlon’s overall coaching record drops to 470-265 (.639) … this was DePauw’s first loss to Kenyon in the history of the program’s (7-1).
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