The Wilmington College men's basketball team is back in the Ohio Athletic Conference semifinals for the fourth time in five years after dispatching of Baldwin Wallace 65-58 Tuesday in the second round of the OAC tournament at Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court.
"It was a grind, and it was really a similar game to the last time we played," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "Both teams really guarded; and there are so many good players on the court, it came down to who could make plays at the end. Thankfully we did."
With the victory, Wilmington returns to Marietta 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Pioneers swept the season series, and ended the Fightin' Quakers season a year in the conference semifinals.
After BW pulled to within one with 1:13 remaining, Wilmington connected on eight straight free throws and limited the Yellow Jackets to just one basket down the stretch. Senior Klarke Ransome (Richwood, OH/North Union) hit four, and senior Taylor Wellman (Norwood, OH/Norwood) and junior R.J. Leppert (Liberty Township, OH/Lakota East) both hit a pair to seal the victory.
Wilmington started the second half slowly allowing BW to transform its three-point deficit into a four-point lead. Undeterred, senior Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) started and capped a 16-4 run with three-pointers. All four of his baskets were from beyond the arc as he tied for a team-high with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds. He was also 6-of-8 from the foul line.
"Malcolm took what the defense gave him tonight," said Hunt. "They were really pounding him in the paint. They have so many big bodies, it was hard for him to get to the rack tonight. That is the beauty of a great player. He just took them to the perimeter and knocked down jump shots."
Wilmington started out fast, scoring nine of the first 10 points. However, Baldwin Wallace wasn't going to go away at the first sign of a little adversity.
The Yellow Jackets gained traction with a 13-2 spurt to take its only lead of the first half. The lead last three possessions as a Leppert steal and lay-in was followed by a Wellman three-pointer and the surge was squelched.
"I knew it was going to be a battle," said Hunt. "(BW) is a really good basketball team. You are talking about two teams that were picked 1-2 in the preseason in the conference. If we are going to win this conference tournament, we are going to earn it."
Leppert finished with 18 points, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
"R.J. was great tonight," said Hunt. "I think we he is going to be mad at himself for missing a couple of bunnies. His energy and toughness was at an all-league level."
Wellman added 11 points, four rebound and two assists as Wilmington had three players in double figures.
