WOOSTER, Ohio — After committing two costly turnovers and losing a key offensive rebound in the final minute of what turned out to be a 68-65 home loss to arch-rival Wooster on Dec. 9, the Wittenberg Tigers showed real grit in a clutch 74-71 win on the Scots' home floor.
The win moved Wittenberg back to within one game of the Scots for the top spot in the North Coast Athletic Conference at 10-2. Just as importantly, the 11th-ranked Tigers gained a big in-region victory against the second-ranked team in the nation to improve to 18-3 overall.
It was all Wittenberg in the early going as the Tigers opened up a 15-point advantage. However, the Scots, one of the top scoring teams in all of NCAA Division III again this year, chipped away as the half wore on and trailed just 40-34 at the intermission.
Wooster finally caught the Tigers with 1:56 remaining in the game on a basket by Devin Fulk, but senior wing Billy Bowen (Arcadia, Ind./Hamilton Heights) made perhaps the biggest play of his fine career by answering with a three-pointer just 20 seconds later. After a Brandon Johnson dunk tied the game again, Tigers' senior post Dane Borchers (Russia, Ohio/Russia) responded with a free throw with 54 seconds left to give Wittenberg a slim lead.
On the ensuing possession, 2006 NCAC Player of the Year James Cooper turned the ball over and Wittenberg sophomore wing Gregg Hill (Redford, Mich./Union)made it hurt as he knocked down a short jumper with 10 seconds left to give the Tigers a three-point edge. After Johnson hit two free throws, Hill was again equal to the task with a pair of his own before the Scots turned the ball over on their final possession.
Hill was every bit the match for Cooper, who finished with a game-high 23 points - 14 of which came in the first half. Hill scored 12 in the first half and wound up with 21 for the game, all while attempting an efficient 10 shots from the field in the game, compared to 19 for Cooper. Hill finished 6-of-10 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers in the game's opening minutes. He was also a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
That production was crucial because the Scots were determined to stop Borchers, who managed seven hard-earned points - 10 under his season average. He was strong on the boards, however, collecting nine rebounds. Bowen continued his outstanding play of late, contributing eight points, while senior post Jack Hemenway (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) and junior post Brandan Barabino (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) chipped in with nine points apiece in a very balanced offensive attack.
Tom Port added 18 points and Devin Fulk hit for 16 off the bench for the Scots, who fell to 18-3 overall and 11-1 in the NCAC. Wooster got a big game from Evan Will, who led both teams with 14 rebounds as the Scots won the battle of the boards 32-24. That was countered in part by a four-turnover edge for the Tigers, a reversal of the game earlier this season.