Posted: Dec 02, 2015
CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA-- Wittenberg overcame adversity Wednesday night, erasing a 10-point Wabash lead late in the game on their way to a 76-64 victory. The Tigers managed to outscore the Little Giants 27-7 over the final 12:45.
Jaelin Williams (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) lead the charge for the Tigers with 23-points and six rebounds. Junior guard Cody Phillippi (Xenia, Ohio/Xenia) added 10 points.
The victory puts Wittenberg at 5-1 overall and 1-0 in NCAC play.
GAME BREAKDOWN
- The Tigers trailed at halftime 42-39, after allowing Wabash to shoot 56-percent from the floor.
- Wabash lead by as many as 10 in the second-half before Wittenberg began to chip away. The lead dwindled to two points with 7:53 left in regulation after Williams followed up a made layup and a change of possession with a drive to the bucket, picking up a foul and cashing in on the two free-throws to tie the game.
- At the 4:00 mark, the Tigers regained the lead for good as a Shane Edwards (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrsyburg) steal resulted in a fast-break layup. The ensuing possession resulted in a Williams steal, leading to a jumper at the other end to push the lead to 63-60.
- As the Tigers continued to go on a run late in the game, Landon Hormann (West Liberty, Ohio/Salem) and Edwards followed up a Wabash timeout with a five-point swing in the form of a Horman three and an Edwards two-point jumper, on back-to-back possessions.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Wittenberg's 27-7 run to end the game is their largest run of the season.
- The Tigers are 2-0 to start off NCAC play for the first time since 2011.
- Wabash was forced into 14 turnovers by the stifling Tiger defense, resulting in 18 points for the visitors.
KEY STATS
- Wittenberg dominated the paint, outscoring the Little Giants 40-16 down low.
- The game saw seven lead changes and three ties, as the Tigers lead by as many as 12 down the stretch.
- The Tigers out-rebounded Wabash 38-29 with Edwards leading the way with seven.
UP NEXT
- Wittenberg will resume NCAC play at home against Alleghany on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 3:00 p.m.
Written By: Kuris Duggan