CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Against the fourth-ranked team in NAIA Division II, the Wittenberg Tigers could ill-afford a tough night from the floor if they wished to stay with the high-flying Cedarville University Yellow Jackets. However, 36 percent shooting from the floor, coupled with a Cedarville three-point barrage sent the Tigers to their third conseutive defeat by a 80-53 final.
A steal and lay-up by junior guard David Nowicki (Carmel, Ind./Westfield) cut the early defecit to three at 10-7, but over the next eight minutes, the Jackets outscored Wittenberg by 14 to methodically pull away. Wittenberg would never get closer than 15 the rest of the contest.
On a rare night where no Tiger finished in double-figures, Nowicki led the way with nine points. In his first significant minutes as a Tiger men's basketball player, freshman wing Michael Cooper (Springfield, Ohio/South) showed some of the flashes of athleticism that Tiger fans got accustomed to on the football field. Cooper was perfect on the night in his late-game appearance, finishing with eight points, while sophomore post Lewis Buzzard (Columbus, Ohio/Franklin Heights) chipped in with six points.
On the glass, the Tigers won the battle of the boards 46-40, but could not parlay second chances into scores. One of the main reasons for the Yellow Jackets success was their protection of the basketball, as they only committed five turnovers on the night.
Wittenberg looks to turn their slow start around Wednesday, Dec. 10, when North Coast Athletic Conference rival Denison visits Pam Evans Smith Arena for the NCAC opener. Tip time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant