The top-seeded Ohio Wesleyan men’s basketball team started fast on the way to an 89-81 NCAC Tournament quarterfinal win over visiting Kenyon Tuesday at Branch Rickey Arena.

The Bishops led 48-30 at halftime thanks in part to making nearly 60% of their shots (17-for-29) in the first half.

They cooled down a bit in the second, and were outscored 51-41, but it didn’t matter thanks to the nearly 20-point cushion they built in the first half.

Nate Axelrod led OWU with 26 points, three assists and three steals. Seth Clark also had a big scoring night, finishing with 20 points, while Ben Simpson (19 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and three steals) did a little of everything.

Phillip Crampton led the Lords with 27 points in the setback.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Points were at a premium for Ohio Wesleyan, which fell to visiting Denison 61-46 in Tuesday’s NCAC tourney opener at Branch Rickey Arena.

The Bishops scored just six points in two of the four quarters. They trailed 16-6 after the first and 36-23 at halftime.

Megan Kuether led OWU with 18 points while Taylor Dickson added 10 in the season-ending loss.