By: Andrew Korba

GREENCASTLE, IND. -- Junior J.J. Woodson (Cleveland/Bedford) tied his career-high with 25 points, but the Hiram College men's basketball team fell in another close NCAC contest 66-58 to DePauw (Ind.) on Sunday afternoon.

The Terriers now are 7-5 on the season and 1-4 in the NCAC, while the Tigers improve to 9-3, 2-3.

Woodoon finished 9-of-17 from the field, with four rebounds and four steals. He previously scored 25 points in Hiram's 88-71 win over Westminster (Pa.) on November 22.

Sophomore Jeremiah Thomas (Cleveland/John Hay) also reached double figures with 10 points.

A made free throw from Woodson with 1:56 left to play tied the game at 53-53.

The Tigers would make two foul shots on its next possession. After Hiram was unable to score, DePauw sunk two more free throws to go up 57-53 with 1:42 remaining.

Junior Austen Rekolt (Salem/West Branch) would make a free throw to cut the deficit to 57-54, but the Tigers were able to get a few defensive stops and make good on 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach.

Thomas scored six straight points early in the game to give the Terriers a 10-4 lead.

DePauw countered with nine consecutive points to jump in front 13-10, with just over 12 minutes left in the first half.

Hiram ended the first half on an 8-2 run to take a 25-23 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Terriers pushed their lead to five points, at 30-25, on a made jumper by Rekolt.

DePauw would score the next five points, but Woodson came right back with a 3-pointer to put Hiram back in front 33-30.

The game would feature six ties and four lead changes in the final 15 minutes, before DePauw put the game away.

The Terriers finished 22-of-59 (37.3 percent) from the field, while the Tigers were 20-of-43 (46.5 percent). DePauw was 22-of-26 (84.6 percent) from the free throw line, compared to 11-of-17 (64.7 percent) for Hiram.

The Tigers also outrebounded Hiram 35-26, but the Terriers forced 19 turnovers which resulted in 17 points.

The Terriers have completed their five-game road swing and will return to action on Saturday, when it hosts Wittenberg in Price Gym. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.