CRAWFORDSVILLE, Indiana --- Wabash lived up to its motto, "Wabash Always Fights," Saturday in the Little Giants' season-opening basketball game against DePauw University. Wabash played with a roster limited to six players due to COVID protocols and battled the Tigers in an 86-75 home loss at Chadwick Court.
 
The game was the first for the Little Giants (0-1) since a home North Coast Athletic Conference game against Denison 11 months earlier. The Wabash sextet shot 58 percent from the field in their opening contest of the 2021 season, paced by a career-high 27 points from Kellen Schreiber and 20 points from fellow junior Tyler Watson. Wabash could not overcome the nine-man effort by DePauw, including a 34-point performance from Tiger senior Nolan Ginther.
 
Wabash showed little signs of rust, connecting on its first four shots to match an equally accurate DePauw (3-0) effort of nine consecutive made baskets to start the contest. The Tigers took a six-point lead on a jumper by Nolan Niego with 13:37 remaining in the first half. DePauw maintained its lead until back-to-back baskets from Schreiber and Watson put Wabash in front 30-29 with a 8:05 to play in the opening period. The Tigers answered with a 6-0 run to jump back in front.
 
DePauw eventually took a ten-point lead in the first half. A basket and free throw from Schreiber drew the Little Giants to within seven at the break, 44-37.
 
Wabash got as close as five points in the opening minutes of the final half when Schreiber tossed in two of his team-high 27 points to close the DePauw lead to 44-39. The visiting Tigers regained a double-digit lead before a jumper in the lane by Watson and three-pointer by Avery Beaver trimmed the advantage to five points at 64-59 with 9:20 left in the period.
 
The Little Giants drew no closer as DePauw responded with an 8-0 run to move back in front by double digits for the eventual 11-point victory.
 
Schreiber and Watson were joined by Beavery and Reis Thomas with double-digit scoring efforts. Beaver finished with 14 points in his Wabash debut. Thomas tallied a career-best 10 points to go with five rebounds, four assists, and a blocked shot. Watson also finished with four assists.
 
Wabash owned the rebounding edge, grabbing 28 missed shots to 23 for DePauw. Schreiber paced the Little Giants with eight boards. Comer added seven rebounds in his first collegiate contest. The Tigers finished 33-of-62 (53.2 percent) from the field for the game while Wabash shot 27-of-46 for the contest.