Scots hosting OWU in first-place NCAC battle
Jamir Billings, left, and The College of Wooster men's basketball team will host Ohio Wesleyan Wednesday night in a battle for first place in the North Coast Athletic Conference.
The College of Wooster men’s basketball team will host Ohio Wesleyan in a North Coast Athletic Conference battle for first place at Timken Gym Wednesday.
It will be a great night to watch small college basketball at its best.
Wooster (14-3, 8-1) and Ohio Wesleyan (13-5, 8-1) are tied atop the NCAC, with Wabash College (14-4, 7-2) one game back.
“This is a really big game for our league,” Scots coach Doug Cline said. “We beat Ohio Wesleyan at their place (73-52) to give them their only loss and first place will be on the line.
“We’re playing well and Ohio Wesleyan has a strong team as usual. They have an outstanding scorer in Jack Clement (22.6 points a game).”
Expect a lot closer game than the Scots’ 21-point win at OWU as nine of the last 13 games between Wooster and Ohio Wesleyan have been decided by five or fewer points.
Wooster is extremely balanced in scoring, with Najee Hardaway (13.5 ppg), Elijah Meredith (12.1), Turner Kurt (11.2), Jamir Billings (10.1) and Nick Everett (9.3) separated by only 4.2 points.
JJ Cline (6.4) and Carter Warstler (5.7) have also been key contributors.
Wednesday’s game is part of an Ohio Wesleyan vs. Wooster doubleheader, with the women’s teams tipping off at 5 p.m.
OAC CLASH
There will also be a huge Ohio Athletic Conference class Wednesday when Mount Union (16-1, 9-1) visits John Carroll (15-2, 9-1).