Tigers Stage Rally For Exhibition Win On Canada Training Trip

Ben Bowen defended the final three-pointer by York that sealed an improbable Tiger victory. File Photo | Erin Pence
Ben Bowen defended the final three-pointer by York that sealed an improbable Tiger victory. File Photo | Erin Pence

TORONTO, Ontario - Sophomore Jaelin Williams (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) knocked down a three-pointer with three seconds remaining to give the Wittenberg Tigers a thrilling 74-73 victory over York University.

Wittenberg was down two points with 18 seconds to go before forcing a turnover in the backcourt, which gave the Tigers the ball out on the sideline. Freshman Troy Mundy (Blacklick, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) penetrated the right side of the lane and found Williams on the other side of the court with the pass that led to the three-pointer.

FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules then gave York the ball out at half court after a timeout with 3.8 seconds remaining. Senior Ben Bowen (Arcadia, Ind./Hamilton Heights) defended a forced 3-pointer perfectly with the ball being an air-ball.

The Tigers had double-digit leads for most of the first three quarters before the athleticism and quickness of York began wearing them down, according to Head Coach Bill Brown. In the end, though, Wittenberg survived long enough to create a chance to pull it out.

Three Tigers scored in double figures, led by the 15 points of freshman post Chad Roy (Toledo, Ohio/Holland Springfield). Williams and fellow sophomore Shane Edwards (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. In addition, sophomore Cody Phillippi (Xenia, Ohio/Xenia) and Mundy each finished with nine points.

The Tigers return to action Tuesday with a 1:30 p.m. game at the University of Windsor before returning to campus after the game.