GRANVILLE, Ohio (Jan. 8) – The 25th-ranked Denison Big Red remained undefeated in NCAC play with a hard-fought 64-58 victory over the Wabash Little Giants inside Livingston Gymnasium, highlighted by senior Ricky Radtke surpassing 1,000 career points.
Denison (12-1, 4-0 NCAC) set the tone early, applying relentless defensive pressure that resulted in several turnovers. The game's opening sequence featured Kellon Smith stealing the ball and converting it into a quick two points, energizing the Big Red. Fueled by their defense, Denison built a steady lead in the first half, heading into the break with a 35-23 advantage.
Wabash (7-6, 3-1 NCAC) showed resilience in the second half, clawing their way back and even taking a brief lead. Randy Kelley's late free throws kept the Little Giants within striking distance, but clutch performances by Denison's veterans sealed the win.
With Denison trailing 52-49, Scotty Dean buried a three-pointer to even things out. On the very next possession, Tyler Miller followed suit, knocking down another three-pointer to push the Big Red ahead 55-52. A strong defensive effort and timely free throws helped Denison hold on as Trevor Reed and Ricky Radtke combined for key points in the closing minute.
Radtke's milestone night added to the excitement, as the senior forward entered the game needing just five points to reach 1,000 for his career. He opened his scoring with an energizing dunk that set the tone for the night and hinted at the achievement to come. Radtke officially joined the 1,000-point club in the first half with a three-point play, sinking a free throw after a strong layup. He finished the game with 10 points and eight rebounds, anchoring Denison on both ends of the court.
Reed led the Big Red in scoring with 15 points, including 4-of-6 from the free-throw line, while Jack Steinbach contributed 7 points, one steal and one block. Cameron Smith, this week's NCAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week, delivered another solid performance, contributing 10 points and grabbing five rebounds to help secure the victory. Denison shot an efficient 48% from the field, capitalizing on turnovers and fast-break opportunities to outscore Wabash 26-18 in the paint.
"Any conference win is a good win, especially against a great Wabash program that's been at the top of our league for years," said Denison head coach Chris Sullivan. "We played a great first half and were in control, but credit to Wabash for responding in the second half. Fortunately, we got some big stops and made free throws late to secure the win."
Denison remains perfect in NCAC play and will look to keep their streak alive when they travel to Springfield on Saturday for a 3:00 PM tip-off against the Wittenberg Tigers.
