The Wittenberg Tigers overcame a valiant effort by the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops and 37% game shooting average to advance to the championship game of the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament for the first time since 1997, defeating OWU 70-66.

In a game of streaks, the Tigers went on a 4-0 run early in the first half, leading 12-7 at the 15:00 mark. Late in the first half, the Battling Bishops made a run of their own, this one 4-0 as well, to bring the Tiger lead to 23-20 with 7:32 remaining in the opening period. Both teams traded buckets to end the half and Jason Dopoulos scored a half-court trey to end the half with the Tigers leading 34-32.

The early portions of the second period belonged to the Battling Bishops. After tying the game 41 all on a three-pointer from Jason Dopoulos, the Battling Bishops went on a 6-0 run before the Tigers were able to get a mid-range jumper from B.J. Harris.

Late in the second half, the Tigers were able to claw their way back, scoring four unanswered points from the free thrown line. The harried contest was tied up at 62 all with 1:30 remaining when Kevin Longley hit a jumper. Wittenberg led Ohio Wesleyan from that point on, getting a clutch three pointer and four free throws from Greg Rustad, as well as one free throw Ryan Taylor.

In the victory, the Tigers were led by the 16 points of Ryan Taylor, as well as 11 each from Chris Fillmore and Kevin Longley. Longley also pulled down 12 boards. Ohio Wesleyan got 27 points from Travis Schwab and 24 from Jason Dopoulos.

The Tigers will face the College of Wooster Fighting Scots tomorrow evening for the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament title. The Scots defeated Earlham 90-79 in the first game this evening. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

The women's basketball team fell in the their semifinal game this evening, by a score of 75-66. They end the season 18-8.

Posted by: Melinda Scott