SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Senior Night at Wittenberg went according to script as the sixth-ranked Tigers captured a dominating 82-59 victory over North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Wabash in a game postponed one day by a snowstorm.
In winning for an eighth straight time, the Tigers improved to 21-3 overall and 13-2 in the NCAC, one game behind the College of Wooster with one game remaining in the 2006-07 regular season. The average margin of victory in those eight wins is 23 points - matching the gap between Wabash and Wittenberg on this night.
Most impressive, and most fitting, the five-man senior class honored before the game won for the 100th time in their four years on campus - the Tigers now have a 100-16 overall record between 2003 and 2007. The record for wins by a senior class is 105.
Wabash hung around for most of the first half before the Tigers put together a 16-4 run to close the opening 20 minutes and stake them to a 39-26 advantage. The lead never went below 10 points in the second half before reaching a high of 27 points with two minutes left on a three-pointer by junior post Sam Gregory (Gainesville, Fla./Oak Hall).
Balance was the key once again for the Tigers, who finish up the regular season at Allegheny on Saturday before hosting an NCAC Tournament quarterfinal game back home in the HPER Center on Tuesday against an opponent to be determined. Four Wittenberg players reached double figures offensively in the game, led by senior post Dane Borchers (Russia, Ohio/Russia) with another double-double.
Borchers topped both teams with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the game, including seven offensive caroms. He was 7-of-12 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line, and he even added two assists and two blocked shots in 26 outstanding minutes.
Sophomore wing Gregg Hill (Redford, Mich./Union) chipped in with 16 points off the bench - as he gave way to senior post Mark Huelsman (Urbana, Ohio/Urbana) on Senior Night. Hill continued his torrid shooting pace, drilling 5-of-8 shots from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, and both of his free throw attempts. Senior post Jack Hemenway (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) contributed 13 points, 11 in the second half, including two dunks that got the crowd fired up down the stretch.
Finally, senior wing Billy Bowen (Arcadia, Ind./Hamilton Heights) nailed three treys in the game's opening minutes and went on to hit for 11 points, all in the first half. He added four rebounds, three assists and two steals in a tremendous all-around performance.
Wabash picked up 19 points and five rebounds from Andrew Zimmer as the Little Giants dropped to 9-15 overall and 6-9 in the NCAC. The Little Giants hit just 5-of-21 from three-point range and were outrebounded 35-25 in the game.
Wittenberg hit 53 percent from the field, including an outstanding 10-of-17 from three-point range, and 88 percent from the free throw line.