WESTERVILLE, Ohio - Coming off the program's first losing since the Eisenhower administration, the Wittenberg Tigers found themselves trailing at halftime of the 2015-16 season opener. That's when the Tigers found a resolve that often seemed to be missing a year ago, shooting better than 63 percent and committing just two turnovers over the final 20 minutes of an 87-78 win over Capital.
The win kicked off the new NCAC/OAC Challenge, a four-game, two-day celebration of the rivalry between Ohio-based NCAA Division III conferences that features Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg from the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and Otterbein and Capital from the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Ohio Wesleyan completed a Day 1 NCAC sweep in the nightcap, with Otterbein set to take on Wittenberg and Capital scheduled to play Ohio Wesleyan on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Springfield.
The entire event has become a tribute and fundraising opportunity on behalf of former Wittenberg assistant coach and current Capital head coach Damon Goodwin, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Click here for complete information about the NCAC/OAC Challenge.
The Tigers trailed 39-33 at halftime, but a 12-6 burst over the first four minutes of the second half leveled things at 45-45. Wittenberg maintained the momentum through the 10-minute mark of the second half as the Tigers built an 11-point lead, which then evaporated in just three minutes as Capital took a 63-62 lead on a three-pointer by Will Hannah.
The Tigers rallied again at that point, taking a five-point lead on a three-pointer by sophomore Garrett Dorfman (Durham, NC/Northern Durham) with 4:22 remaining. From there, the game was a free throw shooting contest won by Wittenberg, which converted 15 of its last 16 foul shots to secure the victory.
For the game, Wittenberg shot 47 percent from the field and made 33-of-49 from the free throw line. Capital finished with percentages of 40 percent from the field and 61.5 percent on 39 free throws.
Four Tigers finished in double figures offensively, starting with junior Jaelin Williams (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee), who contributed 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Junior Cody Phillippi (Xenia, Ohio/Xenia) and Dorfman added 16 points each, and junior Shane Edwards (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) added a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Written By: Ryan Maurer