Box Score Denison shot 54 percent from the field in the second half and capitalized on a 10-0 run with under five minutes to play. The result was a hard fought 72-63 victory over Hiram College from Livingston Gymnasium.
The victory comes at a critical point in the season for the Big Red who still have nine conference games remaining on the regular season slate. Not only does tonight's win snap a season-long four game losing skid, it gives Denison some positive momentum heading into Saturday's clash with No. 23 Ohio Wesleyan.
Leading by two with 6:48 to play, Denison sophomore David Meurer knocked down a 3-pointer to give his team a 54-49 lead. Hiram would convert at the other end on a JJ Woodson fast break.
DU would bounce right back with a transition layup by Brad Woolard to go up four. Brad Woolard would account for the next six Denison points. Back-to-back layups by Meurer would lift the Big Red to its largest lead of the night at 64-52 with 3:25 to play.
Hiram would cut the deficit to seven the one minute left but the Big Red would convert all eight free throw attempts down the stretch to keep the Terriers at bay.
Meurer scored 21 points in 29 minutes and was 7-of-12 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. He also led the team with five assists. Brad and Bret Woolard each scored 13 points. Brad was 5-of-6 from the floor and also added four rebounds. Bret went 5-of-10 while pulling down five rebounds. Each Woolard brother hit pivotal 3-pointers from the top of the key in the second half to help spark the win.
Hiram was led by Woodson's 22 points and Kelvin Jones' 12 points and seven rebounds. The Terriers shot 41 percent for the game and held a 35-33 advantage on the glass.
Denison connected on 26-of-54 shots for 48 percent and were 7-of-19 (.368) from beyond the arc. Thanks to Meurer and Brad Woolard's big night, Denison's bench outscored Hiram's 45-15.
The Big Red improves to 9-7 and 3-6 in the North Coast Athletic Conference while Hiram dips to 9-7 and 3-6 in league play. DU will host 23rd ranked Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday (Jan. 24) at 3 p.m.
