DANVILLE, Ky. — Luke Ellspermann poured in a career-high 28 points and Wabash College used a blistering first-half shooting display to build a commanding lead Monday afternoon, rolling to an 82-67 non-conference victory over Berea College at the Lee's Famous Recipe Classic hosted by Centre College.
 
Wabash (7-3) seized control early and never trailed after the opening minutes, knocking down 10 three-pointers in the first half and racing to a 48-23 advantage at the break. The Little Giants finished the game shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 48.4 percent from three-point range, while holding Berea (4-7) to 39.3 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The Mountaineers briefly held a 3-2 edge just over five minutes into the contest, but Wabash answered with a flurry sparked by Ellspermann. The sophomore guard connected on four three-pointers in a span of less than six minutes, igniting a 15-2 run that turned a tight game into a double-digit lead. Ellspermann's triple at the 8:02 mark capped the surge and pushed the margin to 32-19.
 
From there, Wabash continued to apply pressure on both ends. Gavin Schippert scored on consecutive possessions in the paint, and Deric Cannady buried a second-chance three-pointer as the Little Giants extended the run to 15-4 and stretched the lead to 37-19 with 6:45 remaining in the half. Nate Matelic followed with a three-pointer and Rich Brooks added a fast-break layup late in the period as Wabash closed the half on an emphatic note, taking its largest lead at 48-23.
 
Ellspermann finished the first half with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, while Cannady chipped in timely perimeter shooting and playmaking as Wabash piled up 10 assists before intermission.
 
The Mountaineers trimmed the deficit with steady scoring from Jae'dyn Gist and Zavian Douglas, pulling within 21 points at 50-29 less than three minutes into the half. A pair of Douglas baskets and a three-pointer from Nathaniel Barrow later cut the margin to 55-39 midway through the period.
 
Each time Berea threatened, Wabash responded. Ellspermann knocked down another three-pointer at the 11:36 mark to reestablish an 18-point cushion, and Cannady followed with back-to-back triples during a key stretch that kept the Mountaineers at bay. When Berea closed to within 10 points at 75-65 with two minutes remaining, Ellspermann drove for a layup and then scored again in transition following a steal, effectively sealing the outcome.
 
Ellspermann finished 9-of-16 from the field and 7-of-13 from three-point range, adding six assists. Cannady scored 14 points and handed out seven assists, while Matelic added 10 points off the bench. Wabash totaled 22 assists on 28 made field goals and led by as many as 25 points.
 
Gist led Berea with 14 points, while Douglas added 13. The Mountaineers shot 45.9 percent for the game and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc but were unable to overcome Wabash's decisive first-half surge.
 
Wabash continues play at the Lee's Famous Recipe Classic on Tuesday, facing host Centre College. The Colonels opened the event Monday with an 89-63 victory over Thomas College.