The Wittenberg University men's basketball team has rounded into form over the last few weeks, and the Tigers have now put themselves into perfect position in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Riding a seven-game win streak, Wittenberg is now 11-3 overall and 5-0 in the NCAC heading into Saturday's showdown against fifth-ranked Wooster in the HPER Center.
No team other than Wittenberg and Wooster has won an NCAC regular season championship in the last 15 years, and the two teams have split 13 of the last 15 NCAC Tournament titles as well. Ranked first and third respectively on the all-time victories list for NCAA Division III men's basketball teams, Wittenberg and Wooster enter the contest with identical 5-0 conference records. Last year, each team held serve with a regular season win on its home court.
In the last week, Wittenberg picked up two more conference wins, defeating Denison at home on Saturday, 74-29, and Wabash on the road on Wednesday, 58-46.
Against Denison, the Tigers put the defensive clamps down. It was the lowest point total for a Wittenberg opponent since 1992 when Defiance dropped a 76-28 decision to the Tigers, also in Springfield.
Starting with a jumper by senior forward Peter Walker (Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier) at the 14:35 mark of the first half that gave the Tigers the lead for good and followed by a three-pointer by freshman guard Pat Denbow (Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier), Wittenberg went on a 13-0 run and held Denison scoreless for more than 11 minutes. In the second half, Wittenberg poured it on after taking a 31-14 lead into the locker room. The Tigers scored the first six points of the second stanza and buried the Big Red with 52 percent shooting.
Wittenberg put four players in double figures, led by Walker's 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Sophomore forward Kenny Brady (Reading, Ohio/Reading) was outstanding again with 12 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. And junior guards Andy Bucheit (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) and Danny Brywczynski (Dayton, Ohio/Northmont) each chipped in with 10 points. Brywczynski, the team's starting point guard, enjoyed a second straight game without a turnover, showing that he has worked his way back into the flow after a broken hand in the preseason.
Against Wabash, Wittenberg didn't play one of its best games, but the Tigers did just enough in the hornet's nest that is Wabash's Chadwick Court to escape the host Little Giants, 58-46.
The Tigers fell behind 14-9 midway through the first half before clamping down on the Little Giants, who came into the game tied for first place in the NCAC. Covering the last eight minutes of the first half, Wittenberg outscored the host team 15-1 to take a 24-15 lead into the locker room. After scoring the first two points of the second half to cap the run at 17-1, Wittenberg extended the lead to as much as 42-26. Wabash made a big run over the final 11 minutes, but the Little Giants' rally ultimately fell short.
Wittenberg was almost done in by poor free throw shooting as the Tigers managed just 19-of-40 from the charity stripe, but Wabash was stifled offensively to the tune of 31 percent shooting from the field. The Tigers also outrebounded Wabash 43-34. The Tigers were led by Bucheit, who came off the bench to score 13 points and grab four rebounds. Sophomore center Daniel Russ (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) added 11 points and six rebounds in his first start in more than a week due to illness. And Brady added nine points, six rebounds and three assists in another outstanding all-around game.