CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. - It was one of those nights for the Wittenberg Tigers, the likes of which the 12th-ranked team in the nation had yet to experience in 2001-02. The big shots just wouldn't fall, the turnovers came at the worst times possible and the underdog host team and its rabid fans were at their best. It all added up to a 77-65 loss at Wabash College and Wittenberg's first North Coast Athletic Conference loss.

Wittenberg struggled early before going on a run to tie the game at 17 midway through the first half. But by the time the two teams headed to the locker room, the Tigers were trailing by 12 points, which turned out to be the final surprising margin. Wabash kept the pressure on throughout the game, shooting over 50 percent in both halves, committing just 10 turnovers and put three players in double figures in scoring.

Leading the statistical charge for Wittenberg was junior forward/center B.J. Harris, who hit for his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. He was joined in double figures by sophomore guard Rod Emmons with 11 points and senior center Brian Gratsch, who had a season-high 10 points and six rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

The loss dropped Wittenberg to 15-3 overall and 8-1 in the NCAC, while Wabash improved to 8-9 overall and 5-4 in the NCAC. Next up for the Tigers is the game of the year thus far against first-place Wooster at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the HPER Center in Springfield. All games can be heard on WBLY 1600 AM in Springfield or via the Internet on Wittenberg's Web site.

Posted by: Ryan Maurer