WOOSTER, Ohio - The Kalamazoo College men's basketball team defeated nationally-ranked College of Wooster 79-72 in the championship game of the 40th Annual "Mose" Hole Kiwanis Classic. Kalamazoo led 43-38 at halftime. Kalamazoo improves to 8-1 with the win. Previously unbeaten Wooster falls to 9-1. Wooster was ranked 14th in the most recent (Dec. 15) D3hoops.com poll.
Dirk Rhinehart led the Hornets with 18 points and eight rebounds and was selected as the tournament MVP. Erik Rhinehart added 16 points and was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Defensive Player. Jevon Caldwell-Gross scored 13 points and was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Nathan Burns added 12 points off the bench.
Brian Nelson led Wooster with 36 points and eight rebounds. Matt Smith added 10 points for the Scots.
Kalamazoo shot 41.8 percent from the field while holding Wooster to 36.4 percent. The Hornets sank 11-of-22 three pointers (47.8%) to Wooster's 5-of-22 three-pointers (22.7%). Kalamazoo made 22-of-23 free throws. Wooster was 19-of-21 at the line. Kalamazoo held a 40-37 rebounding advantage.
Kalamazoo travels to Tri-State University next Saturday, Jan. 4, as the final game before conference play begins.
Updated: 12/29/02