SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg University Tigers are used to winning. Just not against the Otterbein Cardinals in recent years.

For the fifth straight time dating back to Dec. 11, 1995, the Tigers were beaten in non-conference action by Otterbein. The latest defeat came at home in the HPER Center, where Wittenberg is normally near invincible. The Cardinals, who actually trail in the overall series 65-41, invaded and behind 20 points, 20 rebounds and eight assists from All-American forward Jeff Gibbs defeated Wittenberg 73-64.

Gibbs was everywhere for the Cardinals, the No. 23-ranked team in the nation that improved to 11-1 on the season. He added three blocks and three steals to the visitors' excellent effort, and his 14 defensive rebounds were more than any Wittenberg player had total. His work on the glass was the key to Otterbein's ability to become the first regular season Wittenberg opponent to outrebound the Tigers as a team since the 1999-2000 season.

On the flip side, Wittenberg, which had its nine-game win streak snapped in falling to 10-2 overall, spread things around as usual. Junior forward/center B.J. Harris finished with 12 points and six rebounds, senior forward Chad Mossing had 11 points, senior guard Greg Rustad chipped in with 10 points, junior forward Kevin Longley played well in contributing nine points and eight rebounds, and sophomore point guard Mark Borland ended up with seven points, 11 assists and four steals.

While Gibbs was the statistical difference in the game, the game turned in the final four minutes as Wittenberg was held scoreless. Sophomore guard Rod Emmons hit a three-pointer at the 4:19 mark to pull the Tigers within two points at 66-64. But Otterbein closed things out with some fine defense and seven unanswered points, including 6-for-6 from the free throw line for freshman point guard Tony Borghese.

Posted by: Ryan Maurer