OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Wittenberg men's basketball fell to host Stevenson 75-65 in the Tigers' opening game in the Hoopsville National Invitational Classic on Friday.

The Mustangs grabbed a 31-25 halftime lead and held onto the advantage throughout the second half, shooting 48 percent for the game against 37 percent for Wittenberg.  Neither team had a strong three-point performance but the rebounding was even at 38 boards for the Tigers and 39 for Stevenson.

The Mustangs made the difference at the free throw line, drawing 34 fouls and making 33-of-47 shots at the line, while the Tigers made 16-of-27 free throw attempts.

One advantage for the Tigers was offensive rebounding: Wittenberg counted 15 offensive rebound among its total of 38 boards, leading to a 17-6 edge in second-chance points.

 Down by 13 points with 10:25 to go, Wittenberg managed to close the gap to just four points at 61-57 with 1:49 to go. But the Mustangs held strong and survived a series of fouls to win the game.

Senior Sam Collins (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) and sophomore Shane Edwards (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) split the scoring lead for Wittenberg, each with 14 points. Collins was 6-for-12 from the field and 2-of-3 at the free throw line, while Edwards sank 6-of-10 field goal attempts and also led the team in rebounding with nine, including five offensive boards.

Sophomore Jaelin Williams (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) followed in the scoring column with 10 points, most coming at the free throw line in his 7-for-11 outing. Freshman Chad Roy (Toledo, Ohio/Holland Springfield) and junior Alex Fultz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Glen Este) posted five rebounds each.

The Tigers conclude their trip to the Hoopsville National Invitational Classic with an 8 p.m. game against Randolph-Macon tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 22.

John Strawn '07