Offense Heats Up Again As Tigers Top Kenyon

Cody Phillippi led Wittenberg with 17 points in a win over Kenyon. Photo by Erin Pence
Cody Phillippi led Wittenberg with 17 points in a win over Kenyon. Photo by Erin Pence

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers took another step toward salvaging their 2014-15 season with an efficient offensive performance that netted a much-needed 73-62 victory over visiting Kenyon.

The win was Wittenberg's second in the last three games, and it was the second consecutive game in which the Tigers topped 50 percent shooting from the field. Wittenberg improved to 5-11 overall and 3-6 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), records that now match the Lords.

Kenyon led much of the first half before the Tigers closed with a rush, scoring the last seven points to head into the intermission with a 31-29 advantage. Sophomore Cody Phillippi (Xenia, Ohio/Xenia) scored the last five points, and after the Lords opened the second half by rallying back into the lead, he got the Tigers' offense going again with a lay-up.

Midway through the second half, and the two teams had battled to their sixth tie at 45-45 on a jumper by senior John Albertson (Morrow, Ohio/Little Miami). That basket jumpstarted a game-changing 11-point Wittenberg run, highlighted by seven points from sophomore Shane Edwards (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg).

Phillippi led the Tigers, who shot 52.7 percent, with 17 points. He was joined in double figures by sophomore Jaelin Williams (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) with 10 points and freshman Chris Sloneker (Monroe, Ohio/Monroe) with 15 points. Sloneker hit all seven of his shots from the floor.

Williams finished with a double-double as he grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. Edwards matched that rebounding total as Wittenberg doubled up on the Lords with a 42-21 advantage on the boards.

Written By: Ryan Maurer