DePauw Wins Manchester Bankers' Classic Title; Werntz Named MVP

BOX SCORE 

November 17, 2007, North Manchester, Ind. - DePauw topped Manchester by a 68-60 count to win the Manchester College Bankers' Classic and start the season at 2-0 for the first time in six years. The Spartans dropped to 1-1 with the loss.

DePauw never trailed on the way to the win as it built as much as a 15-point first half lead on the way to a 33-21 halftime advantage. The Tigers still led by 12 with 12 minutes remaining in the game before the Spartans closed the gap to single digits.

The Tigers held an eight-point lead at 61-53 after Stephen Schott's bucket with 2:45 left, but the Spartans' James Reed nailed a three with 2:18 remaining to close the gap to 61-56. Jamaal Wade's free throw with 1:28 left closed the gap to four, but DePauw's Mike Moore hit two free throws and tournament MVP Ryan Werntz buried a three to push the lead to 66-57 with 32 seconds left.

Werntz led the Tigers with 21 and hit 5-of-9 three-pointers, while all-tournament team selection Brian Oilar and Schott each added 12. Schott grabbed eight rebounds and Moore dished out nine assists.

Wade led Manchester with 21 wiht Jeff Grabowski adding 18 and Nathan Ferch following ith 10. Grabowski led the way with five rebounds.

The Tigers shot 51.9 percent from the field, while Manchester connected on 52.3 percent, but DePauw knocked down 10-of-25 three-pointers.

DePauw plays host Marian (Ind.) on Saturday, November 24, at 6 p.m. in the opening game of the Mike Rokicki Community Versus Cancer Challenge. Chicago and Transylvania play in the 8 p.m. contest.