RICHMOND, Ind. — The Wittenberg Tigers have had their struggles on the road this season, so Wednesday night's 71-60 victory at Earlham College was more than just another step on the road toward the team's ultimate goals. It was an efficient, confidence-building win that was just what the doctor ordered.
The eighth-ranked Tigers improved to 12-2 overall and 4-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference with the win, their 13th straight against Earlham. The Quakers fell to 4-10 overall and 2-3 in the NCAC.
Wittenberg won for the sixth straight time this season thanks to their most efficient offensive performance of the season. The Tigers hit 50 percent from the field, including a 7-of-19 performance from three-point range, and 88 percent from the free throw line. In addition, Wittenberg won the battle of the boards 27-24, including a 7-4 edge in offensive caroms, and the Tigers committed a season-low five turnovers, compared to a respectable 11 for Earlham.
However, this game was in doubt until midway through the second half as Earlham's Tristian Gregory hit a lay-up at the 10:01 mark to close the margin to just 44-42. But after Gregory missed a free throw that would have made it a three-point play and closed the gap to one, the Tigers took command with a 12-2 run that was capped by three-pointers from sophomore wing Gregg Hill (Redford, Mich./Union)and senior wing Billy Bowen (Arcadia, Ind./Hamilton Heights). The lead grew to as many as 19 points in the closing minutes before the Quakers made a late charge.
Along with being efficient offensively, the Tigers were also balanced as eight players scored at least two points and four finished in double figures. Senior posts Dane Borchers (Russia, Ohio/Russia) and Jack Hemenway (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) led with 16 points apiece, while Borchers added a game-high eight rebounds and Hemenway was one of several Tigers to accumulate three assists in the game. Hill added 14 points and Bowen chipped in with 12, all on three-pointers.
Earlham got a huge offensive game from Markous Jewett, who finished with 31 points. The Quakers also shot 50 percent from the field.