PARKLAND, Wash. - Following up on an emotional come-from-behind victory the night before, the Wittenberg Tigers could not provide an encore as they fell to host Pacific Lutheran in the Pacific Northwest Invitational by a 80-60 final.
After trading baskets with the Lutes for the first 12 minutes of the contest, Pacific Lutheran reeled off a 14-0 run right before the break to take a 13-point lead into the locker room. The Tigers could get no closer than 11 the rest of the evening as hot Lute shooting coupled with a 3-for-19 Tiger performance from behind the arc limited any thought of a comeback.
Junior post Mark Snyder (Celina, Ohio/Parkway) led the way with 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting and a perfect run from the charity stripe on four attempts. Also in double figures, senior wing Kevin Murray (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) landed 11 points, while freshman post Alex Brandt (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) knocked in 10 points for his first career double digit outing.
Turnovers plagued Wittenberg all night, as the Red and White finished with 23 miscues, compared to only 13 forced by Head Coach Bill Brown's squad. The Tigers did claim an edge on the glass, however, taking down 45 caroms on the night.
The tournament ended with all four teams finishing 1-1. Murray was the Tigers' lone representative on the all-tournament team.
With the Tigers returning home, they continue a very difficult non-conference stretch when they face Ohio Northern in the 2008-09 home opener this Wednesday, Dec. 3. The Tigers entertain the Polar Bears beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Pam Evans Smith Arena.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant